7 Foods That Help Clean Out The Body

7 Foods That Can Help Clean Out the Body

by Samantha Wilkinson, MS, RDN, LD

Broccoli & Kale
Based on recent studies, the cells of these veggies can actually get rid of air pollutants. So what does that mean for our bodies? Well in a clinical trial of over 300 Chinese subjects, who consumed beverages and products with these cruciferous vegetables in them, urine outputs of 2 chemical pollutants, benzene and acrolein, were exhibited. We typically inhale benzene when pumping gas, and acrolein when around smokers. With the increasing rate of pollution on our planet, we need a way to combat those harmful chemicals, which we ingest unintentionally. So have a hearty serving of broccoli or kale, your lungs and body will thank you for it.
Celery
Typically known as the “toothbrush of the colon”, celery works as a natural laxative since it’s filled with soluble fiber, which absorbs water and forms a thick, gel-like mass in the digestive tract, increasing fecal transit for excretion, thus improving digestion. A 1-cup serving of chopped, raw celery contains 1.7 grams of dietary fiber, 0.7 grams of which are soluble fiber and 1 gram is insoluble fiber. Your total dietary fiber intake should ideally be 20-to-30 percent soluble fiber. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals, most of which are antioxidants.
Avocado
These guys contain monounsaturated fatty acids and glutathione, a compound that blocks the absorption of certain fats by the intestines that cause oxidative stress (free radical damage). Monounsaturated fatty acids help to increase HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, reducing the risk for atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arterial walls due to plaque build up.
Onion & Garlic
These plants contain flavonoids, which stimulate the production of glutathione, an antioxidant produced by the liver. As a result, onion and garlic have significant anti-bacterial and immune-boosting characteristics.
Green tea
This tea is richer in antioxidants than white, black, and oolong teas. The caffeine in green tea also gives a diuretic effect, which helps to rid the body of bloating by reducing water retention.