Detox is all about helping our kidneys and liver. They’re the body’s filters that remove all those chemical additives we get from fast food and soft drinks, toxic metals from our air and water, and the unhealthy consequences of too much alcohol! As if that weren’t a big enough job, these 2 organs set the stage for the proper functioning of the rest of the body from the brain to the intestines! The best way to help our kidneys and liver is to give them a helping hand with a juice and smoothie made with any of the following most potent detox foods
22 Detox Foods for Juicing & Smoothies
1. Apple
A detox powerhouse with so many cleansing compounds including flavonoids that detox the liver of all those New Year’s toasts! Apples are also a great source of the soluble fibre which help remove metals and food additives from your body.
Remember: try to use organic apples since non-organic top the list of the dirty dozen foods with the most pesticide residue. Organically produced apples also have more antioxidants than conventionally produced apples.
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2. Avocado
Another detox workhorse rich in cleansing nutrients such as glutathione which blocks over 30 different carcinogens while helping to cleanse the liver of all those synthetic food and beverage additives. Plus, a recent study from the University of Michigan discovered that people with high levels of glutathione were healthier and less likely to suffer from arthritis.
3. Beet
This veggie is just an amazing detoxifier! It boosts energy and lowers blood pressure, fights cancer, reduces joint pain and increases memory. The detox power comes from a unique concentration of phytonutrients that make them unsurpassed for fighting infection and cleansing the blood and liver. Plus, they increase the body’s absorption of oxygen which is not only a boon for athletes but also an excellent cleanser for every cell in our body!
4. Blueberry
You’ve probably heard how great blueberries are for boosting memory, fighting inflammation, preventing infection, reducing pain and even protecting against DNA damage. As if that weren’t enough, blueberries are packed with phytonutrients known as proanthocyanidins that have amazing detoxifying effects!
5. Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts are more beneficial than regular broccoli or other sprouts because they’re packed with sulforaphane which are potent detoxifying compounds.
6. Cabbage
Cabbage is a powerful liver detoxifier containing sulfur which breaks down chemicals and removes them from your body. Plus, like other cole crops (Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, broccoli, turnips and watercress), cabbage has indole-3-carbinol which boosts cell repair and blocks the growth of cancer cells.
7. Ginger
Ginger and turmeric are at the top of the list of nature’s most medicinal foods. I use a bit of both in every juice and smoothie I make. Ginger boosts metabolism, flushes out waste and stimulates liver function.
8. Turmeric
This spice and its main ingredient curcumin is most popular throughout Asia. Its daily use in India leads many to believe that it has something to do with India’s incredibly low incidence of Alzheimers though studies have yet to be completed. Turmeric is also a powerful support for the liver and digestive systems. Always add a dash of black pepper as studies show that it contains a compound that enabled greater absorption of turmeric. It’s also packed with antioxidants.
9. Cinnamon
Antioxidants play a critical role in detoxifying and cleansing the body. Cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant values of all foods. No wonder it’s used in medicines to treat blood clots, nausea, diabetes and Candida. Antimicrobial compounds found in cinnamon are so powerful that they are now being used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives.
10. Grapefruit
Grapefruit fires up the liver like no other food! It’s rich in lycopene which fights free radicals. These are compounds that damage cells and decrease the function of the liver. Grapefruit is one of those cure-all foods as a proven aid in losing weight, treating diabetes, lowering cholesterol, fighting cancer, healing stomach ulcers, reducing gum disease and even preventing stroke. Studies show that grapefruit can treat certain diseases as well as pharmaceuticals.
11. Matcha
Green tea is extremely high in antioxidants which as we’ve discussed above play a critical role in detoxing and cleansing the body. Matcha is the most powerful form of green tea. It’s powdered green tea leaf and least processed so it’s richest in the antioxidant polyphenols that are now believed to be responsible for all the health benefits of green tea.
12. Hemp Seed
This seed surpasses flax and chia for health benefits. It’s rich in the antioxidant vitamins E and C, and is packed with chlorophyll which cleanses the body of all kinds of toxins including heavy metals. The high content of soluble and insoluble fiber in hemp aids the digestive system thereby ensuring that whatever is being detoxed from your body is also being completely removed. Be sure you grind it before adding to your juice or smoothie otherwise the tough outer shell prevents digestion.
13. Garlic
Garlic is probably the most common ingredient in detox juices and smoothies. This is because garlic boosts the immune system and supports the liver. It’s rich in sulfur which is a powerful cleansing compound. Sulfur also has amazing antibiotic properties proven to be 100 times more effective than antibiotics for certain injuries and diseases.
14. Cranberry
Long known to prevent urinary tract infections, cranberries are also rich in compounds that remove toxins from your body. They’re also packed with nutrients that boost the immune system, strengthen the heart and improve digestion.
15. Kale
Kale is incredibly powerful as a detoxifier. Recent research discovered that kale’s glucosinolates effect detoxification at a genetic level. It’s now recommended by doctors for patients fighting kidney disease. It’s packed with so many nutrients proven to help prevent nearly every disease.
16. Lemon
This fruit stimulates enzymes that push toxins out of the body. The high content of vitamin C helps create glutathione which helps the liver expel environmental toxins. The alkalizing effect of lemon helps rejuvenate the liver.
17. Onion
Like cabbage and garlic, onion is rich in sulfur which detoxes the liver. Raw onions is best and even just a small amount in your juice or smoothie delivers tremendous health benefits. Onions help rid the body of toxic metals such as arsenic, tin, cadmium, lead and mercury.
18. Wheatgrass
Many consider wheatgrass the most powerful of all the superfoods because it is more than twenty times denser in nutrients than any other food. It is also rich in alkaline minerals which reduce over-acidity in the blood and detoxify the liver. Plus it lowers blood pressure and stimulates the metabolism. Interestingly, wheatgrass contains 98 of the 102 earth elements.
19. Parsley
Parsley is another cure-all rich in beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and K which rejuvenate the kidneys and bladder. Parsley also prevents kidney stones and bladder infections. Flavonoids in parsley prevent cell damage.
20. Pineapple
A compound in pineapple known as bromelain is a digestive enzyme that helps cleanse your colon and improve digestion. Studies have also found that it decreases inflammation and increases sexual response in women. Two molecules found in pineapple have been found to be effective against cancer growth.
21. Seaweed
A study from McGill University found that seaweed binds to radioactive waste in the body so it can be excreted. This is important since radioactivity finds its way into the body from medical tests and surprisingly from food grown where water or soil is contaminated. Seaweed binds to other toxic metals to help eliminate them from the body. Finely chopped seaweed flakes suitable for sprinkling into your juice or smoothie can be found at your health food store.
22. Basil
It’s rich in antioxidants that protect the liver, especially terpenoids which boost digestion and detoxification. Basil helps stimulates kidney function and help the body eliminate toxins.