Beets and radishes can be a nutritious addition to a balanced three-day diet designed to give your body a break from unhealthy dietary habits. Some compounds in these vegetables may even help support liver detoxification. It is important to make sure your body continues to get sufficient calories and balanced nutrition during a cleansing or detox regimen. Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you develop a healthy, moderate plan.
Beets
Beets have a sweet flavor and tender texture when roasted or boiled. They can also be grated or sliced and eaten raw. One raw beet contains only 35 calories, with 2.3 grams of fiber, 13 milligrams of calcium, 266 milligrams of potassium, 4 milligrams of vitamin C, 89 micrograms of folate, 16 micrograms of beta-carotene, 27 international units of vitamin A and small amounts of other vitamins, minerals and amino acids. A beet also provides 105.5 milligrams of betaine, which may help support and detoxify the liver. Studies on this subject are inconclusive.
Radishes
Radishes are cruciferous vegetables with a pungent flavor and a crisp texture. They may also support cleansing of toxins and carcinogens by producing substances called isothiocynanates, which help the body metabolize damaging chemicals. Raw radishes work best for this purpose. A cup of sliced, raw radishes contains 19 calories and 1.9 grams of fiber, 29 milligrams of calcium, 270 milligrams of potassium, 17.2 milligrams of vitamin C, 29 micrograms of folate and trace amounts of other nutrients.
Cleansing With Beets and Radishes
A cleansing diet of any duration should emphasize whole grains, lean protein sources and fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid refined flours and sugars, alcohol and caffeine. Increase your consumption of potentially detoxifying beets and radishes by adding raw slices or shreds to leafy green salads or sandwiches or by juicing. Since beets and radishes are high in fiber, they can be very filling. Juicing them makes it possible for you to consume more of their valuable nutrients. Make sure to get enough dietary fiber from other sources, however -- at least 20 grams a day for most people.
Warnings
A balanced cleansing diet can be an effective way to break bad dietary habits. Unfortunately, many extreme detox regimens are essentially fasts and can lead to dehydration, malnutrition and feelings of fatigue and dizziness. Intestinal cleansing programs may encourage the use of laxatives to empty the intestines, which can lead to electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. If you are considering a very low-calorie or intestinal cleansing diet, speak with your doctor first.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Beets, Raw, 1, 82 grams
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Betaine; Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Radishes, Raw, 1 Cup Slices
- Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center; Isothiocyanates; Jane Higdon; 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Do Detox Diets Offer Any Health Benefits?; Katherine Zeratsky; 2010
- Harvard School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source -- Fiber -- Start Roughing It!
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