Body Cleanse and Detox - 15 Top Fruits [Infographic]

Body Cleanse and Detox - 15 Top Fruits
Infographic from Fitness Republic

The Body's Natural Ability to Detox

The human body has detoxification pathways which work to get rid of harmful chemicals, heavy metals and other substances that we ingest, breathe in or absorb from food, water, cleaning and personal care products, cosmetics and other items in our environment.

We sometimes forget that detoxification is an ongoing process.  That is, the body is busy detoxifying every day.

In order to effectively neutralize, break down and eliminate toxins, the body requires a sufficient amount of clean water, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and other micronutrients including the B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D and E, copper, zinc, selenium and iron.

Many of the nutrients required for detoxification are "essential" - i.e., the body cannot synthesize them on its own either at all or to an adequate amount and must be obtained from dietary sources.

Hence, it is easy to see how our diet choices help or hurt our body's natural ability to detoxify.

Fruits for Cleansing and Detoxing

Certain fruits (as well as certain vegetables, herbs and spices) have a high water and fiber content and are rich in the various nutrients that are required by the body for cleansing and detoxification.

Although there are times when following a detox or cleanse protocol may be indicated, many holistic health professionals recommend including more fruits and vegetables in the diet every day to support the body's daily detoxification processes.

Infographic

This infographic lists and briefly describes 15 fruits that are thought to be particularly helpful in supporting natural detoxification:

✔ Lemons
✔ Watermelon
✔ Blueberries
✔ Pomegranate
✔ Apples
✔ Avocados
✔ Grapefruit
✔ Cranberries
✔ Figs
✔ Kiwi
✔ Papaya
✔ Cucumber
✔ Goji Berries
✔ Pineapple
✔ Strawberries

The amount of fruit you should be eating every day depends on your age, sex, level of physical activity, health or medical condition, and other factors.

To learn more about current dietary guidelines and recommendations for fruit, including what constitutes a serving, visit Choose My Plate - All About the Fruit Group.

Infographic Source

This infographic is from Fitness Republic.  To read more about this subject, please go to 20 Fruits for Body Cleansing (Fitness Republic).

Related

Top 15 Nutrient Rich Foods
Top 10 Superfoods for Exceptional Health
Top 15 Anti-Inflammatory Foods
15 Foods to Include in an Everyday Diet
25 Common Fruits and Their Health Benefits

How to Naturally Cleanse Your Body [Infographic]

How to Cleanse the Body Naturally
[Infographic] by Lauren Coutts

Our bodies become toxic for many reasons.  Conventionally grown produce (pesticides), packaged and processed foods (preservatives), cosmetics, personal hygiene and household cleaning products (industrial chemicals) are good examples of our daily exposure to a whole host of toxins.  We eat, drink, breathe in and absorb toxins through our skin all the time - in our modern society, it is virtually impossible to avoid environmental toxins.

Exposure to environmental toxins has been linked to an overproduction of unchecked free radicals which, in turn, is implicated in premature ageing, weight gain and obesity, and various degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.

Research indicates that one of the best defenses against free radical damage are antioxidants.  Antioxidants are nutrients that are found in various plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  Certain foods (such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) are rich in phytochemicals that are thought to be especially beneficial to fighting free radicals.

In recent years, the idea of "cleansing" or "detoxing" has been been popularized by commercially created formulas, diets or programs - mostly in connection with weight loss.  Many people have the idea that they need to periodically cleanse or detox and resort to extreme measures that can be dangerous.

Although an "intensive" periodic detox, like Panchakarma which is done under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic practioner, can be very beneficial, it is important to realize that exposure to toxins and consequent overproduction of free radicals is an ongoing, daily event.  Therefore, an effort to detox or cleanse should be a continual effort.

There are many natural ways in which to natural cleanse your body on a daily basis, as this infographic illustrates and explains:

• Refrain from smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and decaffeinated beverages and eating too much sugar.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Drink plenty of clean water throughout the day and warm lemon water first thing in the morning.  To determine how much water you need to drink, see this water chart.
• Manage stress levels through meditation, journaling or discussing your problems with a friend, family member or within a trusted support group.
• Eat foods rich in dietary fiber like kale, broccoli, almonds, beans and legumes, berries, apples, chia and flaxseed.
• Avoid acid-forming foods like dairy, beef, pork, shellfish, peanuts, sodas and white or wine vinegar.
• Take extra care of your liver by regularly consuming certain herbs, spices and foods like milk thistle, ginger, garlic, lemon, chorella, turmeric and dandelion root.

Related:

Is Your Diet Toxic?
Why Dehydration Makes You Fat and Sick

Colon Cleansing Foods

15 Foods that Cleanse the Liver

Infographic design:  Lauren Coutts