by Constance Brown-Riggs
Many people associate detox diets and cleansing plans with juices, smoothies, and other strange concoctions that claim to rid the body of unhealthy substances and promote rapid weight loss. Those who follow detox plans also tout psychological benefits, such as more energy and rejuvenation.
There are also colon cleanses and liver detox plans that claim to target the colon and liver. But there is no scientific evidence that one specific organ can help you detoxify completely. Detoxification requires a team effort from your entire organ system.
Your Body’s Detoxification System
There are five organ systems (skin, kidney, intestine, lymphatic, and liver) that work day and night to metabolize fat, fight inflammation, and remove harmful toxins from your body and filter out built-up waste.
*Your skin helps you detox by providing a barrier to harmful toxins. The skin regulates body temperature and provides antibacterial protection against infection.
*The Kidney activates hormones and filters your blood to collect waste that is excreted in your urine. Your kidney also filters out fat-producing substances and balances your blood pressure.
*Your intestine allows essential nutrients from food into your body but helps detox by keeping harmful bacteria and other toxins out. The intestine also excretes waste materials and toxins from the body.
*The lymphatic system carries toxins from the body to the blood for excretion by the bladder, bowels, and skin. The lymphatic system also reduces cellulite formation and strengthens your immune system.
*Your liver is a second waste filter that manufactures essential hormones. The liver also isolates the toxins that your body can’t break down, cleanses the blood and balances fat and cholesterol levels, and breaks down harmful chemicals.
A Natural Detox Diet
You don’t need exotic detoxes or cleanses to purify your body and promote weight loss. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with lots of whole food, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, and spices can invigorate, strengthen and support your body’s natural detoxification system. On the other hand, highly-processed foods loaded with artificial ingredients, such as preservatives and additives can add more toxins to your body.
Traditional diets tend to be healthier than the standard American diet. Oldwayspt.org created The African Heritage Diet based on the healthy food traditions of people with African roots. This healthy way of eating is powerfully nutritious and can naturally strengthen and support your body’s natural detoxification system.
The following lifestyle changes suggested by Oldways can help you drop those extra pounds and detox your body naturally.
Boost Flavor With Spice.
Curries, peppers, coconut, fresh herbs, garlic, onions, fresh lemon, and all spices are low-sodium ways to add incredible flavors to grains, beans, vegetables, and seafood.
Make Vegetables the Star of Your Plate. Steamed, sautéed, roasted, grilled or raw, enjoy veggies like okra, cabbage, green beans, or eggplant in larger portions than the other parts of your meal. If you’re grabbing seconds, go for the veggies!
Change the Way You Think About Meat.
Use lean, healthy meats in smaller amounts for flavor. Replace ham hocks with smoked turkey or fish, or pile on the herbs and spices instead!
Make Rice & Beans Your New Staple. Fiber-filled Rice-and-Beans are a favorite meal all over the world. Add African heritage whole grains like millet, sorghum, and teff to your soups, or partner them with peas.
Enjoy Mashes & Medleys.
Bake or boil sweet potatoes, yams, and potatoes or mash them with eggplants, beans, grains, onions, and seasonings.
Find Real Foods Everywhere. At a corner store, buy peanuts or fruit; at a lunch buffet, load up your plate with salad, veggies, fruit, and beans. Look to African heritage whole foods, in their natural state, to crowd out processed and packaged “convenience foods.”
Jazz Up Fruits for Dessert.
Fresh or frozen fruits like melons, peaches, berries, and mangos—plain or sprinkled with chopped nuts or coconut—add a sweet taste of satisfaction at the end of a meal.
Drink to Your Health.
A splash of flavor can make water your go-to drink. Add crushed fruits or small amounts of 100% fruit juice to water or sparkling water to make refreshing “ades” (like lemonade!). Iced tea with a little raw honey is another refreshing alternative to soda and other highly sugared drinks.
Try any one of these steps…and then another…and another until you’ve mastered them all. A healthy diet filled with whole foods, herbs and spices is the best way to detox your body naturally.
