To Detox or Not to Detox?

Our environments have lots of toxins in them, from man-made ones like pesticides and plastics to those that are inherent to life, like stress, which can cause bodily harm. Thankfully, our bodies naturally know how to get rid of waste, so there’s no need to buy any product that promises to cleanse, detox, or flush your body.

“A nutritious diet, adequate hydration, good sleep habits, and stress management tools support the body’s own detoxification efforts,” says Holy Name Nutrition Outreach Manager Debbie Bessen, MS, RD, CSO, CLT. The organs most heavily involved in this process are the kidney, liver, lungs, and skin.

Some foods are especially good detoxifiers:

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and arugula contain a chemical called sulforaphane. This compound promotes detox pathways in the body.

The fiber found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps get rid of toxins in the gut through the stool.

Drinking enough water helps remove waste through the kidneys (urine) and skin (sweat).

Antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices help decrease the oxidative stress your cells endure from environmental toxins.

Teas including green, black, rooibos, and dandelion have diuretic and antioxidant properties that help with the detoxification process. Beware of any “detox tea” that adds other ingredients, like additional caffeine or senna, a laxative.

Dietitians at Holy Name can help you create a healthy eating plan that works for you. Call us at 201-227-6040.