Our body is like a machine which needs constant care and maintenance. Apart from eating right and exercising, detoxification at regular intervals enhances vitality. During this pandemic when the world is looking out for natural and simpler ways of leading life, detoxification is a necessity. By detoxification, one boosts the body’s immunity and leads a healthier life. It helps to discard toxins from our body and also assists in absorbing nutrients better. In our fast-paced world, one does not mind spending money on gym memberships, exotic spa treatments and fad foods. But it’s time to slow down and look around. Nature offers options in abundance to relax, rejuvenate and ultimately detoxify the mind, body and soul. Let us embark on a cleansing journey and know a few ingredients that Mother Earth offers us. These are power-packed with antioxidants and loads of goodness.
Lemon
Lemon has been considered as one of the wonder fruits. It has oodles of vitamin C that clears and cleans liver and gut. Lemons help in the prevention of any oxidative damage to the liver, which is the powerhouse of our body. Lemons are warriors against free-radicals that can cause damage to the body. The antioxidants in lemons help in rejuvenating the body with the lost minerals, vitamins and potassium. One can enjoy lemons in warm water or as a refreshing lemon and mint drink. But for a detox, one must take care to enjoy the flavours of the natural fruit and not contaminate it with sugar or salt. It is also widely accepted that lemons aid in weight loss, reduce heart disease, kidney issues and digestive disorders. Starting the day with a glass of warm water, juice of one lemon and half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder helps to clear waste from the body. This in turn helps in weight loss. One can also enjoy a tangy dal with a fresh squeeze of lemon. The important thing that one needs to take care is not to cook the dal after adding lemon juice. A liberal addition of lemon juice in salads not only enhances the taste but also loads it up with vitamin C for detoxification of the body.
Fruits
Consumption of fruits has been considered as a perfect way to remove toxins from the human body. Fruits contain a variety of phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins and fibre. Most dieters and waist watchers include apples, pineapples, blueberries, oranges and tangerines in their list. Tomatoes, scientifically a fruit, are also in the must-buy list for most planning on a detox diet. Addition of a fruity meal hydrates the system and adds natural roughage in the body. Citrus fruits like mandarin, oranges, grapefruit and tangerines have unique antioxidant properties that ensure a healthy liver. It is always a good habit to start a day with fruit. As a thumb rule, one should have fruits in raw form to get its complete benefit. A perfect snacking option, fruits can be had as a smoothie without any added sugar. Another way to enjoy one’s favourite fruit is in the form of salads. A good mix of apples, blueberries and oranges make up an excellent salad. A generous sprinkle of lime juice and mint enhances the flavour and lifts up the mood. One can also churn in chunks of pineapple or cranberries with natural and homemade curd. Bacteria in natural curd helps in maintaining a healthy gut. These anti-oxidant rich nature’s gift must be a part of our everyday routine to cleanse the system.
Legumes
This superfood has different names: legumes, pulses or dal. This anti-oxidant loaded ingredient prevents various diseases. They are packed with proteins and fibre that helps in cleaning intestines, building newer cells, ensuring a healthy liver and above all, regulating blood sugar levels. One can go in for a dal-rich diet for a healthy way to lose weight and lower cholesterol levels. A bowlful of yummy dal satiates us with all its goodness. Mung dal is considered to be high on protein but light on the stomach. One can make a healthy salad with cucumber, raw mango and a handful of soaked mung dal. Lemon juice, grated ginger and coriander leaves can be thrown in and tossed well. Sprouted mung dal is another healthy way to savour pulses. Steamed sprouted mung dal along with some finely chopped tomatoes and grated carrots is an excellent breakfast to kick start your day. Sprouted mung dal can also be cooked well with organic fresh turmeric and tomatoes. In fact, any dal is a healthy and light solution for a great detox diet.
Cabbage
Cabbage helps the body detoxify and fight well against diseases. Filled with anti-cancer properties, cabbage strengthens the liver and aids in keeping diseases at bay. It has sulforaphane that helps the liver breakdown excess and complex hormones. This cruciferous vegetable also contains glutathione. Intake of cabbage thus, adds anti-oxidant properties to the body. A well-cooked cabbage with half a teaspoon of ghee and some grated ginger is an ideal vegetable on a detoxification plate. Lightly steamed cabbage, a generous amount of lemon juice and grated carrots are an excellent way to calm hunger pangs. Even a glass full of freshly squeezed cabbage juice with mint and ginger can eliminate toxins from the body.
Green Tea
Green tea is quintessentially a detoxifying treasure. The active ingredients in green tea help the liver fight off the toxins and add life to liver health. Green tea is a perfect way to flush out toxins in the most natural and pocket-friendly way. After flushing out, green tea aids in rejuvenating the system with anti-oxidants and thus, providing a protective shield to the body, internally, against any diseases. A warm brew of the loose green tea leaves releases the antioxidants. One can enjoy it with ginger juice and mint. Green tea with lemon is a flawless way to add tartness, zing and freshness with the added bonus of the antioxidants of lemon.
The Indian kitchen is a powerhouse of detoxifying ingredients. A close look into the fridge and kitchen cabinets would bring out loads of healthy goodness. As for meats, dairy and poultry which are hard to digest, they are best avoided while undergoing a cleansing diet. The process of detoxification mainly calls for hydrating the body with natural water. Water is the most readily available option to drive out unwanted elements present in the body. Throwing out toxins with natural foods clears internal organs, brings a glow to one’s skin and revitalises the body.
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