As you age, toxins accumulate in the body. Harmful environmental exposures, alcohol, unhealthy foods, prescription medications and stress all take a toll on the functioning of your bodies' systems. Over time, these toxins contribute to feelings of lethargy, irritability and depression as well as increase susceptibility to disease and weight gain. Diet and lifestyle play an essential role in protecting the body from the harmful effects of toxins, and certain foods, such as garlic, green tea and citrus, may help to remove toxins and promote optimal health.
Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that helps transform toxins into digestible material. An antioxidant counters the negative effects of free radicals in the environment, and protects against cancer. Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, such as berries, papaya, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower. Citrus fruits are among the most dense in vitamin C and offer a powerful aid to detoxification. Citrus stimulates digestive enzymes and helps to accelerate your body's elimination of toxins.
Garlic
This small and pungent bulb is another powerful antioxidant and helps to neutralize the free radicals that contribute to cancer and premature aging. Garlic stimulates enzymes in the liver to remove toxins from the digestive system. It also works to thin the blood, which protects against cardiovascular disease and improves circulation. Improved circulation facilitates toxin removal by increasing cellular regeneration and the elimination of waste materials. Garlic additionally has antibiotic and antibacterial properties that assist with purifying the blood and preventing acne.
Dark, Leafy Greens
Packed full of vitamins B and C, dark, leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, mustard greens and collards, promote detoxification in the digestive tract and liver. These health-boosting vegetables are also rich sources of phytochemicals and glutathione. Glutathione plays a critical role in nutrient metabolism, antioxidant defense, immune support and essential cellular activity. Deficiencies in glutathione have been linked to premature aging and diseases associated with harmful oxidation, such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes, cardiac illness and Parkinson's disease.
Green Tea
Green tea comes in several varieties and is a potent aid in detoxification. Full of antioxidants, green tea flushes toxins from the body and additionally contains catechins, a particular type of antioxidant known to increase liver function. A 2005 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reports that catechins-rich green tea consumption facilitates body fat reduction and can prove useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases related to an unhealthy lifestyle.
References
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin C
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Glutathione Metabolism and Its Implications for Health; G. Wu, et al.; March 2004
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Ingestion of a Tea Rich in Catechins Leads to a Reduction in Body Fat; T. Nagao, et al.; January 2005
- National Cancer Institute: Tea and Cancer Prevention
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