Including an abundance of vegetables of all colors in your diet is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Vegetables are nutrient-dense and promote healing at the cellular level. Have you ever heard of Dr. Terry Wahls? She created a protocol that helped her overcome MS. Her protocol includes 12 cups of veggies a day! Now, that’s something to aim towards! In this post, I am going to explain how vegetables can help detox your body and give you a list of the best detoxifying vegetables you can start including in your diet today.
How Your Body Detoxifies
Our environment and food supply contain chemicals that can harm our bodies. However, your body eliminates toxins without special diets or supplements. Can vegetables and other foods support the detoxification process? Let’s look into it.
Supporting Your Detox Pathways
Your liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs are your natural detox pathways. You can help support detoxification by:
- Making sure you don’t consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Low-to-moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for metabolic health, but excessive drinking can damage your liver.
- Getting good sleep. Sleeping allows your body to heal and recharge.
- Drinking enough water. Drinking water helps your body remove waste products.
- Limiting sugar and process food consumption. This will support your overall health, which affects your detoxification systems.
- Exercising. Exercise reduces inflammation, which helps ensure your body is functioning properly.
- Consuming nutrient-dense foods. That’s what this article is about. We will study the specific nutrient and foods that will support detoxification and how they work.
Certain compounds in foods play an important role in keeping your detoxification system healthy. Vegetables are the main food that contain these compounds as you will see. They are your detox superfood.
Detoxifying Vegetables
Nutrients that support cell repair, your detox organs, and intestinal health will support detoxification. Many vegetables are rich in such nutrients. Let’s look at exactly what they are.
Best Detoxifying Vegetables
I am going to give you a list of detoxifying vegetables and explain which nutrients they provide to help support the detox process. Before I get started, I want to reiterate that antioxidants are present in all vegetables. They will help fight free radicals and preserve your overall health.
1. Artichokes
Artichokes are an excellent source of prebiotic fiber, which nourishes your good gut bacteria. It is also a source of silymarin, which may help protect your organs against toxicity. Moreover, artichokes contain cynarin, a compound that protects the liver and stimulates the gallbladder.
Watch this video to learn how to prepare artichokes:
2. Cruciferous Vegetables
Ok, technically, this isn’t just one vegetable, but all cruciferous have powerful detoxifying properties. What are cruciferous vegetables? Cruciferous vegetables are part of the Brassica genus of plants. They include:
- Arugula
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Watercress
Cruciferous vegetables have been well researched for cancer prevention. They contain a multitude of nutrients that help support detoxification. They are rich in glucosinolates, which are sulfur compounds that help to neutralize and eliminate carcinogens.
3. Onions
Onions, as well as the whole Allium family, which include chives, daikon, garlic, leeks, scallions, and shallots are formidable detoxifying vegetables. Allium vegetables contain sulfur compounds that enhance detoxification. They improve the function of enzymes like glutathione, a major antioxidant produced by your body that is heavily involved in detoxification.
4. Beets
Beets contain a phytonutrient called betalains, which support detoxification. There is a growing interest in researching beets as a functional food as they may have multiple disease preventing benefits. They help reduce oxidative stress, decrease inflammation, and may contribute to cancer prevention.
5. Celery
Do you remember the celery juice craze? It was quite the trendy detox drink! Many health influencer swore it improved their skin, their digestive health, sleep, energy, and more. Whether you go for having your daily glass of celery juice or not, celery is a good detoxifying vegetable to add to your meals. Celery contains significant amounts of vitamin C and K, folate, potassium, and antioxidants.
Celery is rich in apigenin, a common dietary flavonoid that is being studied for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
In Summary
Your body is an amazing self-healing machine. Take good care of it by staying active, sleeping well, eating wholesome foods, and taking reasonable precautions to avoid toxins. Eat these detoxifying vegetables as often as you can and enjoy life! Be happy! Your outlook on life will also make a big difference in your overall wellbeing.
