Toxins build up in the body when we eat and drink unhealthy foods and get exposed to pollution from the environment. Excess toxins in the body compromise the body’s immune system, which will subsequently lead to many physical and mental health issues as well as serious diseases.
Even though the human body has many natural pathways to facilitate detoxification through the liver, sweat, urine, feces, and more, many of these toxic substances will not easily leave the body on their own. As such, the responsibility of detoxifying our bodies should fall on us by eating the right foods and keeping good lifestyle habits to help accelerate the detoxification processes within the body.
By taking charge of your own body’s detoxification, your body's vital organs cleanse themselves of the toxins faster, and your liver is also able to function better to excrete the unwanted toxins. The result is a healthier, fitter, and cleaner body that feels more energetic and is more able to fight against diseases more effectively.
Speaking of eating right and keeping good lifestyle habits, here are a few ingredients (fruits, vegetables, and others) that we recommend juicing and drinking on a regular basis to help detox your body.
1. Lemon
Lemons contain a wealth of nutrients such as the key vitamins, antioxidants, and soluble fiber that reduces the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, digestive issues, and even cancer. Lemons also stimulate the production of bodily enzymes and bile, which helps to purify and cleanse the blood, as well as improve the liver functions. The ascorbic acid in lemon also helps to aid in digestion.
Adding lemon to your detox juice recipe also adds a tart flavour to your juice, which introduces a new dimension of refreshing flavour for your tastebuds.
2. Cucumber
Low in calories, rich in nutrients and loaded with nutrients, cucumber is another excellent ingredient for a detox recipe. With 96% water content, cucumbers contain even more water than watermelons, plus it has an abundance of vitamin K and manganese and fiber, which is a key detoxifying nutrient as it helps your body to flush out wastes and toxins.
Plus, adding cucumbers to your detox juice recipe gives it a refreshing green flavour that will help reinvigorate the body!
3. Ginger
Not a fruit per se, gingers are excellent detoxifiers that you should definitely consider adding to your detox juice recipe. Gingers contain a bioactive compound known as ginger, which is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive phytochemical compound. Gingers are also well-known for their medicinal properties, which includes preventing nausea, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as reducing muscle and menstrual pain
If you like a slightly warm, sweet and spicy taste to your detox juice recipe, this is definitely the ingredient to add!
4. Watermelon
With an abundance of water content, vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, and magnesium, watermelons are more than able to flush out any toxins in the body and fight against inflammation, aging skin, as well as free radical damage. In addition to its amazing nutrient profile and being low in calories, watermelons add a refreshing sweetness to your detox juice recipe and help you to stay hydrated while curbing your appetites and improving your heart health.
5. Cranberry
Cranberries are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, which gives it its superfood status. The high concentration of vitamins in cranberries helps it to fight against internal infections, treat UTIs, improve immune function, decrease blood pressure, and more. Furthermore, cranberries add a sweet and tangy flavour to your detox juice recipe — definitely worth adding!
6. Grapefruit
Grapefruits boast a nutritional profile of over 15 beneficial vitamins and minerals, including thiamine and folate, and are a good source of fiber and a range of antioxidants. As such, it is an excellent ingredient for your detox juice recipe as it effectively flushes out toxins to prevent kidney stones and diabetes, as well as improve your body’s immune system and heart health.
7. Pineapple
Rich in an enzyme called bromelain, pineapples are excellent at breaking down proteins and digestion them. Pineapples are also a plentiful source of antioxidants and vitamins, which help reduce inflammation in the body and in turn, relieve arthritis, fights infections, and prevents diseases.
The slow juicing method that Hurom employs ensures that the useful enzymes in Pineapples are fresh and retained even in juice form. Read more about it here.
Looking for more recipes? Check out our recipe page here.