Foods To Clean Out My Body

Detoxification is important from time to time to give your body a break from all of the pollution and chemicals being breathed in through the air and consumed through the diet. Free radicals are rampant in the atmosphere and in non-organic and processed foods. Foods that are not organic and in their natural form may be adding to the toxicity within your body.

Water

Water is the single-most important substance for your body besides oxygen. Water makes up about 60 percent of your body and is involved in every bodily function from digestion to elimination. Not only is water important but also the quality of the water. Bottled water is not necessary to drink; however, using a water filter or pre-boiling your drinking water is a good idea to remove possible bacteria or undesirable trace minerals. Your body depends on water to flush toxins out and to carry vital nutrients to organs and tissues. If water consumption is ignored and large amounts of sweetened juice are consumed, this can cause a spike in blood sugar and a resulting crash, which may also lead to a false hunger feeling and subsequent weight gain. According to Dr. Elson M. Haas in his book, ''Staying Healthy With Nutrition,'' water is the most important thing a person can consume when wishing to clean out the body. The average adult should consume about eight to 10 glasses of water per day.

High-fiber Foods

Fiber, the "roughage" in food that is not digestible, helps to clean out and detoxify your body by helping waste move through the bowels. If insignificant amounts of fiber are being consumed on a regular basis, constipation can occur. This means that the waste matter is being allowed to lay stagnant in the body after it has been processed. It then can begin to rot and leech some of the intended waste back into the bloodstream. By eating recommended amounts of fiber daily, this can be avoided. Emery University's report on fiber and its benefits mentions that this insoluble substance can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, diabetes and elevated cholesterol. Foods high in fiber include vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, and fruits such as blueberries and apples when eaten with the skin.

Foods High in Antioxidants

Antioxidant-rich foods are among the healthiest dietary choices for the body in terms of cleansing and detoxifying. Antioxidants are the nutrients that help cleanse your body by reversing the undesired effects of free radicals. These free radicals come from smoking, pollution, food additives and pesticides. Antioxidant-rich foods are also known as super foods and include items such as goji berries and chia seeds. Other, more common foods recognized as containing antioxidants are berries, peaches, plums, sea vegetables such as nori and kelp, and leafy green vegetables such as kale and collard greens.