By Nancy H, PharmD
May 30, 2023
7 minutes
Overview
The advent of technology and chemical-enhanced products have perpetuated a lot of harmful substances to the body. These substances are the toxins we allow into our body through consuming some foods, taking some drinks, the cosmetics we apply, polluted air, and some cleaning agents we use. Though the body can remove these toxins naturally through the skin, liver, kidneys and digestion, we need some healthy routine like detoxification to remove the toxins from the body altogether. Detoxification is crucial for the body at a stage where the expected systems in the body cannot help flush the toxins away correctly, and the body can achieve this elimination through detox diets and drinks. Read on to understand detoxification and the best ten detox diets and drinks.
What is Detoxification?
The act of detoxifying the body from toxins, the harmful substances in the body, has existed for ages. It is a medicinal way of regulating or removing dangerous substances called toxins from the body of an intoxicated patient. This procedure or routine helps the body rest, nourish, and cleanse all the toxins from the body. It also stops the danger emanating from the abuse of substances, which occurs to the body of a patient that has overused a drug.[1] In addition, detox diets and drinks are prescribed products by professional nutritionists or dieticians. They are effective and active in detoxifying the body when you sensibly consume them. As a result, they flush out toxins, safeguard your body from diseases, and help you retain good health.
The Best 10 Detox Diets and Drinks
There are several ways of detoxifying the body. However, consulting a professional certified nutritionist or dietician is advisable to know what works best for your condition. Let’s examine the best diets and drinks for 2023:
1. Lemon
Lemon is the best fruit for detoxification, recommended by most nutritionists because it is a Vitamin C-enriched drink.[2] In addition, it has a lot of antioxidant substances that build up the body’s immune system to make your body and skin healthy. Likewise, its
balm tea
is good for the skin because It has an alkaline effect that restores the body’s pH balance. There are a lot of detox recipes containing lemon. It is most significant in detox drinks cleared by nutritionists.
Lemon and Ginger Detox Drink:
- 2-3 lemons
- 1 litre of drinkable water
- 3 pieces of ginger
- Pink Salt
How to prepare:
Get your lemon squeezed into the water and add a pinch of salt. Grate your ginger into it, stir and drink responsibly. It is advisable to follow the dosage your nutritionist gives for proper detoxification.
Lemon, Orange, Carrot and Ginger Detox Drink
- 2 Oranges
- ½ Lemon
- 1 Carrot
- ½ tbsp of Ginger powder
- ½ tbsp of Tumeric powder
- Drinkable water
How to prepare:
Blend the Orange and carrot juice. Add ginger and turmeric to the blender. Blend everything with little water for 30 seconds. Squeeze your lemon into it. Sift, stir and drink responsibly.
Lemon, Orange and Lettuce Detox Juice
- ½ cup of water
- 2 oranges
- 1 lemon
- 6 lettuce leaves
How to prepare:
Pour your water into the blender. Get the juice of the two oranges into it and blend it with the lettuce leaves. Strain and drink responsibly.
2. Cabbages
Cabbages are cruciferous
vegetables
suitable for detoxifying the body. They contain sulphur that contributes to eliminating toxins, enrich in vitamins [3], and glutathione that helps improve the livers in the body. In addition, they help eradicate potential cancerous substances from the body. There are different detox concussion you can get from mixing cabbage with other fruits:
Cabbage, Cucumber and Pineapple Detox Drink
- 1 cabbage leaf
- 1 slice of cucumber
- 1 slice of pineapple
- 1 tbsp of ginger powder
- 1 tbsp of chia seeds
- 1 green apple
- 100ml of cold water
How to prepare:
Put everything inside your liquidizer and puree them until they are well mixed together. Serve and drink according to the instructions of your health coach.
Cabbage, Lemon, Cucumber and Green Juice
- 150 ml (5 oz) of coconut water
- 1 cabbage leaf
- 1/3 of a cucumber with the peel
- 1 red apple
- Juice from half of a lemon
How to prepare:
Slice your cucumber and apple into pieces. Put them into your blender. Add the apple with its peel and squeeze the juice of your lemon into it. Pour your coconut water and blend everything. Drink this moderately according to your nutritionist’s prescription.
Cabbage, Ginger, and Beet Detox Drink
- 2 cabbage leaves
- 1 tbsp of grated ginger
- 1 small beet
- Mint leaves
- ½ cucumber
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Peel and cut your beet. Chop your cucumber as well. Put the chopped beet, cucumber and every other ingredient into the blender and blend for 2 minutes. Sift and serve yourself.
3. Watermelon
One of the fruits that are rich in nutrients and have a lot of health benefits is watermelon. It contains calcium, sodium, magnesium, copper, iron, and vitamins A, B1, and C. Watermelon has properties that will not only remove toxins from your body but also reduce the risks of having heart diseases and aid quick digestion. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve your skin. [4]
Watermelon Detox Water
- 1 cup of watermelon
- Ice cubes
- Sliced lemon
- mint leaves
- 3 cups of drinking water
- ½ grated ginger
How to prepare:
Puree your watermelon with lemon. Blend your mint leaves and add your grated ginger to them. Mix with your ice cubes and serve moderately.
Watermelon and Ginger Detox Drink
- 1 cup of watermelon
- 1 tbsp of grated ginger
- 1 tbsp of grated flaxseeds
How to prepare:
Blend everything until it mixes together. Sift and drink responsibly.
Watermelon, Cashew and Cinnamon Detox Drink
- 1 medium slice of watermelon
- 1 lemon
- 150ml of coconut water
- 1 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 small handful of cashews
How to prepare:
Blend all these ingredients. Strain and serve without sweeter.
4. Apples
Apples are fruits rich in antioxidants you can consume to detoxify your body effectively. They are high in fibre, help eliminate toxins from the body and also aid the digestive system.[5] Their importance sometimes is included in some detox recipes. They are vital because they also have antimicrobial properties, essential minerals, and vitamins, which help fight bacteria and fungi in the body.
You can eat an apple with its peel and also blend it with lemon tea or ginger. Please don’t eat the seed with it..
Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Water
- 2 tbsp of Apple cider vinegar
- 2 litres of water
- 1 tbsp of honey
Pour your water into a cup and add 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir and drink responsibly as instructed by your health and wellness coach.
5. Beetroot
Beetroot is one of the cruciferous vegetables enriched with vitamins C, B3, and B6. In addition, it contains beta-carotene that aids detoxification in the body. As a result, beetroot improves the bodily functions of the gallbladder and liver. Beetroot also contains fibre that aids quick digestion. To eliminate toxins in the body, you can eat it raw, add it to salad, or do other detox recipes. You can also puree and drink it. Ensure you take this detox food moderately and as your healthcare provider recommends.
6. Ginger
Garlic is one of the most significant for detoxification of the body. It contains gingerols and shogaols that enhance the detoxification procedure in the body. In addition, garlic has a high level of sulphur which contributes to eliminating toxins in the body. It aids in quick digestion and sore throat healing because of its anti-inflammatory substance.
Therefore, adding it to your diet aids digestion, reduces the feeling of nausea and gas, and beats bloating. Most detox diets and drinks need ginger to be more effective. You can chew it raw, grate some into your vegetable, and take it as tea.
7. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a fruit enriched in vitamin C, suitable for skin detoxification and slowing skin ageing. In addition, this fruit is rich in anthocyanins[6] which help against diabetes, heart disease, and inflammation.
Pomegranate Detox Drink
- 1 pomegranate
- 2 slices of lemon
- Water
How to prepare:
Remove the seeds from the pomegranate and put them into the blender with water. Squeeze out your lemon juice into it. Strain and drink it.
8. Avocado
Avocado contains higher levels of antioxidants that help to remove toxins from the body. Though it may be high in fat, it contains monounsaturated fat, which reduces bad LDL cholesterol.
9. Coconut water
Coconut water is a good detox drink for the skin and the body. Drinking this water raw is healthy because of the electrolyte in it[7]. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help get rid of harmful toxins and nourish your body.
10. Mint
Mint is among the best detox diets and drinks that help flush out toxins from the body. It contains many nutrients that improve digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, and brain function. Most detox drink recipes have mint for effectiveness.
Mint and Cucumber Detox Drink
- 1 Cucumber
- 10 Mint leaves
- 2 Lemons
- Ice cubes
- Water
How to prepare:
Blend cucumber with the mint leaves. Squeeze your lemon juice into it and strain it. Add salt, stir and drink.
How effective are detox diets and drinks
Detox foods are necessary for your body when symptoms of skin infections, irritation, fatigue, critical allergies, puffy eyes, constant bloating, unusual mood swings, and other internal health issues are evident. These foods contain antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruits, and herbs that eliminate toxins and boost metabolism. In return, they help eradicate embarrassing body weight, which may result from excess calorie intake. In addition, taking detox foods helps the body retain or supply the body with the right vitamins and nutrients. In a way, it facilitates water consumption, allowing the body to eliminate waste substances through sweating. Finally, it can help the liver to function well and purify the body from chronic skin infections. However, there are many of these detox recipes out there. Some detox recipes are dangerous and a threat to health. Therefore, taking guidelines and prescriptions from a nutritionist, dietician, or health and wellness professional is more critical. Do not assume the quantity to accept yourself to see the desired result.
Reference
[1] Overview, Essential Concepts, and Definitions in Detoxification 4451 .
[2] What to know about the lemon detox diet By Aaron Kandola 4451
[3] 21 Impressive Health Benefits of Cabbage Medical Author: Karthik Kumar, MBBS 4451 .
[4] The Health Benefits of Watermelon by Kathleen M. Zelman, RD, LD, MPH
[5] What is the apple cider vinegar detox? by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. and Jayne Leonard
[6] Investigation of Anthocyanins Stability from Pomegranate Juice (Punica Granatum L. Cv Ermioni) under a Simulated Digestion Process by Chrysavgi Gardeli et al.
[7] Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Characteristics of Coconut Water from Different Varieties and Its Potential as Natural Isotonic Drink by Sari Intan Kailaku et al.
