Did you know that your body gets rid of harmful substances every single day? These are toxins that we are surrounded by whether we’re aware of them or not. Detoxification is a great way to keep your body in tip top shape, and luckily for us, our bodies take care of a lot of this process by itself, but there are things we can do to make it easier for our bodies to detox naturally.
Why We Need to Detox
Toxins enter our bodies on a daily basis. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, even the products we use on our skin. These toxins don’t do immediate damage, but when we aren’t careful about our eating habits and lifestyle choices, we may soon feel their ill effects.
The detoxification process starts in one particular vital organ: the liver. The liver is the main hub for getting rid of toxins within the body system. The lungs, intestines, and kidneys also aid in the detoxification process.
There is no real, immediate threat in ingesting toxins (unless you’re given a known poison, that is!) and usually the damage toxins do to our bodies is cumulative. It builds over time and when we have too much of a bad thing, our bodies will pay for it.
Ways to Detoxify Your Body
Thankfully there are easy solutions to help your body get rid of toxins naturally and we’re going to take you through them now.
Sleep
One of the best things you can do to your body is give it time to rest and rejuvenate. Never skimp on sleep; you're not doing yourself any good.
While we sleep our bodies continue to do its work. It is during this time that other organs can properly process the day's activities, and this includes the detoxification process. Sleep helps the body repair itself too.
To be able to achieve shut eye after a day of hard work, create a routine of winding down at least an hour before bedtime. Turn off or silence your mobile phone and TV, basically try to reduce your screen exposure in the lead up to bed. Read a light book. Some people find meditating extremely helpful to help calm down the mind. A nice warm shower can loosen tense muscles. Turning off the lights can also help your brain realise that it is time to enter Lala Land.
Sweat it Out
As we have previously mentioned, toxins get released from our bodies with the help of other organs. One of these ways is through sweating.
Aside from salt (this is why sweat tastes salty), toxins are mixed into our sweat. And one of the ways to get rid of them is by sweating them out. And what better way to sweat them out than getting the blood pumping with some physical exercise.
Now, it doesn’t matter the type of exercise you do, but some of the quick and easy ways we like to get our sweat on is by going for a quick jog or doing a HIIT workout. But really, any movement is good movement.
Drink More Water
Your body won't be able to excrete toxins if you don't drink enough water. Hydration is a very important part of the detoxification process.
Water, in particular, is the best fluid your body needs. Its composition is enough and there’s no need to take water with any added minerals and whatnot. A properly filtered water is all you need.
And if you’re going to get your sweat on to get rid of those toxins, staying hydrated with not only help this process, it will make your post exercise recovery that much easier.
Lessen Your Intake of Junk Food
We didn’t say to stop eating junk food, only to lessen it. Sometimes we can’t help ourselves with a bag of crisps or a cookie or two. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally indulging yourself with such snacks.
Do take note that things like sugar and sodium can do your body harm. Excessive amounts of sodium may affect your kidneys, especially when you don’t drink enough water to flush it out. Sugar can cause you to “crash and burn” and even add unnecessary weight to your body. While it is totally ok to grab these unhealthy snacks once in a while, make it a point to limit your intake.
Eat Superfoods
Another way you can aid the detoxification process is through a healthy diet of nutrient dense and antioxidant rich foods. And luckily, here at Superfoods Australia, we know a thing or two about superfoods.
Some of our favourite superfoods to aid in the natural detox process include:
Acai Berries
Acai berries are considered to be a superfood due to their superior nutritional value content, along with the multitude of health benefits they have.
Acai berries have been found to have detoxifying effects as they can help cleanse the digestive system and improve intestinal health. The natural fibre in acai assists you to digest and absorb nutrients in other foods.
Acai berries contain a high amount of Vitamin C which is an antioxidant that works to fight off free radicals which can damage our skin cells, hair, teeth and eyes. Not only does this boost of antioxidants help to promote young and radiant skin but it can also help eliminate free radicals that can cause cardiovascular health issues like heart disease.
Green Tea
Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and refers to the drink made from boiling the plant's actual leaves.
An amazing benefit of Green Tea is its ability to heal different parts of the body and ward off any bacteria and infections. It is also known to help detoxify the digestive system, helping people relax and remove any stresses or pains they may feel in their bodies.
This drink is a simple way to flush out harmful toxins, boost energy levels, and promote better health. Simply adding a few servings of green tea to your daily diet can clear up blemishes, enhance immune function, and increase fat burning all throughout the day.
Maqui Berries
The maqui berry is an exotic-looking plant, dark purple in color, and grows out in the wild in South American countries.
This plant has actually been used and harvested for over a thousand years for the various medicinal and health benefits its leaves, stems, and berries are able to offer.
This superfruit has a high amount of antioxidants present in all parts of its plant, and has been found very effective in detoxifying the body and shielding it from the harmful effects of the environment.
The maqui berry has also been used in reducing inflammation in all parts of the body, protecting the gut, and naturally moderating and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
If you want to try some of these superfoods and plenty of others out for yourself, check out our range here. At Superfoods Australia, we pride ourselves on offering you a huge range of sustainable and ethically sourced superfoods that are 100% organic. We believe in our product range and want to be able to help our customers live a healthy and happy lifestyle. Shop with us here at Superfoods Australia today.