Raw Foods That Cleanse The Body

The human body is built to detoxify itself. But high levels of toxins in the environment and food, plus a diet rich in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and junk food, are some of the reasons natural health practitioners advocate internal detoxification or cleansing. Conventional medical practitioners debate the usefulness of detoxification or cleansing, and more studies are needed to prove its benefits. However, if you're considering it, using foods is preferable to suspect supplements that don't offer additional nutritional benefits.

Fruits

You get the most benefits from fruits in their natural, raw state. Besides being loaded with flavor and nutrients, fruits are aggressive cleansers of the body, according to Brenda Watson, a certified nutritional consultant and co-author of "The Detox Strategy." Fruits are rich sources of fiber, which increases bowel activity to remove waste products and toxins from your body more quickly. However, fruits are rich in sugar, so overindulging in them can adversely affect insulin levels. The American Dietetic Association recommends eating about 2 cups of fruits daily.

Vegetables

Like fruits, vegetables are also rich in nutrients and fiber and are effective internal cleansers. However, they have an edge over fruits because they don't just cleanse your body. They also help build the body and make it stronger, Watson says. Vegetables in general also contain less sugar than fruit, so they don't pose as much of a risk to your insulin levels. The American Dietetic Association recommends consuming between 2 and 2-½ cups of vegetables daily, especially the non-starchy varieties.

Parsley

This herb isn't just for garnishing your dishes. Parsley is a rich source of vitamin C. Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin thins bile and increases your liver's ability to break down fats, says Ann Louise Gittleman, a certified nutrition specialist, in her book "The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet." Vitamin C also triggers the production of glutathione, a key antioxidant in liver detoxification. Parsley also has diuretic properties, which means it boosts kidney function and increases elimination of excess water, waste products and toxins through urine.

Caution

If you're on a specialized diet for a medical condition, such as diabetes, do not make any changes without first consulting your doctor. If you choose to do a fruit and vegetable fast to get more cleansing and nutrient benefits from these foods, limit it to a few days. A prolonged juice fast can result in a variety of symptoms, including blood sugar imbalance and nutrient deficiency, because you're not consuming other foods, such as protein-rich meat and dairy products.