You might have come across the word ‘body detox’ a lot of times. Body detox comes from the word detoxification. This refers to the process of elimination from the human body by the action through various organs like kidney, liver etc. Numerous detox diets enhance this process.
In today’s time, we are continuously introducing chemicals in our body through various modes. This is due to the increasing chemicals in our food products, cosmetics, and even the air we breathe. All these chemicals are known to harm the body. Hence, detox becomes essential. In this piece, we are going to discuss the ways you can detox at home. But before we get to that, let us discuss the importance of detox and what signs our body gives that indicates it needs a detox.
Why should one detox?
Body detox is the new craze in the fitness world. You probably have heard many fitness gurus talking about it. Such popularity of detox must make you wonder why one should detox? Well, there are many detox benefits.
One of the most known benefits of detox is that it helps in weight loss. In fact, toxins are the leading obstacles in the process of weight loss. When the toxicants start to accumulate in the liver, it affects the working of the liver. The liver becomes incapable of removing these toxins.
This, in turn, results in improper digestion, which can lead to bloating and puffiness. Several detox drinks are an efficient method for quick weight loss.
Consumption of junk food, alcohol, caffeine etc., is a common habit in the people. Suck kinds of food or beverages have a harmful impact on the working of our livers. Detox is a great way to get rid of all the bad stuff in the food or drinks and help you get the best of what you eat. Also, this improves digestion.
A lot of toxins in your body can result in various skin problems like dryness, wrinkles etc. Vitamin C rich detox drinks are great for cleansing the skin and make it bright and glowing. Moreover, these detoxes are effective in reducing inflammation. With all the toxic chemicals getting accumulated in your body, it may lead you to feel sluggish and fatigued. This will reflect on the performance of the person. With detox diets, you feel rejuvenated and energized so that you can keep lasting throughout the day.
Signs you need to body detox
Our body can detox itself, but if you are suffering some of the symptoms given below, then it is a sign that your body is not able to do so efficiently.
● Falling sick frequently in a short period
● Skin problems like dryness.
● Low confidence
● Easily vexed
● Unenthusiastic and anxious
● Gastrointestinal problems
● Difficulty in concentration.
● Allergies
These are some of the common symptoms of toxin accumulation in the body. Taking the help of a detox diet can help solve such problems. It is only about introducing some healthy foods in our diet to assist our bodies in the process of removal of toxins.
Methods to detox at home
Now you do not need to take help from any sort of professional to detox. It is something you can do on your own at your home. You can create various diets, beverages and habits which help in detoxification of the body.
Habits for body detox
Given below is the brief description of habits one can build for a better body detox.
Keeping hydrated
One should build a habit of drinking sufficient amounts of water everyday. This is a habit we are all familiar with, yet very few of us actually have. A properly hydrated body has an optimum cellular system, among other benefits. Hence, one should keep themselves hydrated all the time. Make sure the water is purified and free from any toxins.
Getting a sound sleep
Everybody nowadays seems to have a tight schedule. Loads of work can even rob us of the opportunity for a good night’s sleep. Well, a night of sound sleep is very vital. Research shows that during sleep, a lot of healing and detoxing processes occur in our bodies. An example is the detoxification process in the lymphatic system. An unhealthy sleep can cause this system to work improperly. To avoid such conditions, it is better to have uninterrupted and healthy sleep.
Exercising regularly
It is no wonder that exercises have many health benefits, like keeping muscles in good shape. Detox is one of such benefits. Exercising regularly get rid of the extra fat and allows the body to excrete toxins more efficiently.
No matter what sort of exercise you do, it will assist in the process of detox.
Reducing toxin exposure
We have all heard the saying ‘prevention than cure.’ One easy way to save your body from toxins is by preventing food intake with high toxins levels. You can get access to such food materials very quickly. Moreover, one can try to learn about the toxins that are present in various products and what are an alternative to them.
Eating healthy
This is one of the apparent habits. Eating healthy is important to keep your body in good shape, as suggested by the saying, ‘We are what we eat.’ Numerous vegetables, fruits and more are capable of detoxing the body thoroughly. Organic plants and the best possible quality of animal meat will enrich your body with healthy nutrients instead of toxins. Fast fatty food cannot be absent from our lives completely. It is fine to eat them once in a while but try not to make it a regular habit. Eating healthy food is a crucial aspect of detox.
Avoiding the use of alcohol
Alcohol is a toxin. Consuming alcohol means directly introducing toxins into your system. If you want to detox your body, it is best to stay away from any kind of alcohol. No other detoxing method is going to be of any help if you continue using alcohol. Hence, try to get rid of this habit as quickly as you can.
Taking help of supplements
If you are eating healthy, your body will acquire most of the vitamins and minerals it requires. However, there are some nutrients that may not be present in your food in proper amounts. In such a case, supplements play a significant role. There are numerous supplements available in the market which you can take to fulfill the requirements of your body. These supplements help in detoxing the body and even boost your immunity.
Foods and fluids for body detox
There are hundreds of foods and liquids that aid in the process of body detox. Given below is a description of some of the widely used foods in body detox.
Green tea
This is one of the most commonly used beverages for body detox. Green tea has a number of antioxidants which help in easy excretion of toxins from the body. Moreover, it is most profitable for people who want to lose weight. All in all, the consumption of green tea on a regular basis will have a positive effect on your body.
Fruits
As you must know already, fruits have high quantities of nutrients, be it vitamins, fibres or any other. Besides that, fruits also have low calories and hence, most ideal for weight loss. They help in the deep cleansing of the body. Due to its properties, daily intake of fruits results in healthy skin, better hair etc. Moreover, you can have fruits only as salads or prepare a fun fruit recipe like smoothie or custard.
Lemon
You cannot think of body detox without thinking about lemons. Lemons are an important part of detox diets. These have an abundance of Vitamin C, which is an excellent antioxidant. Beginning your day with a glass of water with a sliced lemon will help your body eliminate toxins. Also, it will maintain a healthy pH balance.
Ginger
You must be familiar with the property of ginger to reduce nausea. But did you know it is also used in body detox? If your digestive system has been facing problems due to junk food intake, then ginger is a great remedy for it. Ginger can also prevent bloating and detox the body. It increases the immunity of the person as well. Hence, the use of ginger in juices or tea will prove to be very profitable for you.
Beetroot
Beetroot is one such vegetable that offers many health benefits. It is rich in iron, magnesium and vitamin C. It is not only helpful in reducing cholesterol levels but also is great liver detoxification. Just add the raw beetroot in a salad or simply enjoy its benefits from drinking its juice.
Cinnamon
There is nothing better than ending your day with a cinnamon tea. Not only it tastes great, but it
also stimulates the metabolism of the body. Having cinnamon tea right before bed will ensure
the proper disposal of toxins from the body.
Garlic
Popular for its pungent smell and heart benefits, garlic is also a great detox food. Garlic has a chemical called allicin, which stimulates the production of white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs work against the toxins and boosts the immunity of a person. Therefore, adding garlic to salads and other food is advisable.
Watercress
Green herbs are known for their detoxifying nature. Watercress is one of such herbs. It is packed with a number of antioxidants. Zinc, potassium, Vitamin B and C are among the many other nutrients it has. Being diuretic, it is very efficient in flushing out various toxins from the body. You can eat them raw or add them to salads or sandwiches.
Artichoke
Artichoke leaves are considered to improve the liver’s working, which plays a significant role in fighting toxicants. Add artichoke leaves to your daily foods for better digestion and improved immunity. It will help in better digestion of fatty foods.
Brown rice
Brown rice is a whole grain food. Using brown rice is a better choice than processed foods. Brown rice is enriched with nutrients like vitamin B, manganese and more, which are great detoxifying agents. consuming brown rice will detox the body while also improving skin colour and saving the liver from the harmful effects of toxins.
What can be the disadvantages of body detox?
Body detox is, in fact, a good habit. However, there can be some disadvantages to it. Some of them are mentioned below:
Low in calories
We know that most detox diets include foods that are no low in calories. It is ideal if you are working to lose weight but not otherwise. It is because it will provide you with less energy. Hence, affecting your productivity and glucose levels etc.
Bowel problems
A lot of detox diets can lead you to feel gastrointestinal and bowel problems very often.
Lack of protein
Most detox foods do not contain sufficient amounts of protein. If you are dependent on such detox diets, then it may cause a lack of protein in your body.
These are some of the drawbacks of a detox diet. Although, this should not discourage someone from not having these diets but just a reminder that its use should be limited. As mentioned before, our body has a natural system for body detox, and body detox just enhances that system. It is important to create a balance between detox food and daily meals for the best result. This way, your body will never fall short of any other nutrient.
Conclusion
Body detox is an efficient method to help our body to remove the chemicals that we are exposed to in our daily life. It helps in improving the overall health and immunity of a person. Hence, saving us from various diseases. It is our responsibility to take care of our bodies. Thus, making some lifestyle changes like having a nutritional diet, exercising daily and avoiding intake of intoxicants will help you live a healthy life.