We asked Valerie Orsoni (right), creator of LeBootCamp®, to share some healthy eating tips for the New Year. See the first installment here. Here is the second installment of the best detoxifying foods you can put in your body.
Artichoke
I love it! Blended with a little yogurt sauce, there’s nothing so divine! It’s easy to cook and kids enjoy it too.
Artichoke increases the production of bile. Since one of the purposes of bile is to transport toxins to the intestines before they will be excreted, the more artichoke you eat, the better! Recent studies found that the quantity of bile increases by more than 100% in less than 30 minutes after the consumption of an artichoke. Interesting fact, isn’t it?
Remember that cooked artichokes (and cooked broccoli for that matter) cannot be kept in your refrigerator for the next day. Cooked artichoke doesn’t stand air and light. In fact, it may become toxic!
Banana
Here’s another fruit that’s both easy to find and is affordable! Even organic bananas are affordable since worldwide consumer demand is so high.
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, which helps regulate the level of fluids in the body, and subsequently, prevents water retention. The equation is simple: more fluids retained in the body = more toxins trapped; less fluids in the body = less toxins in the body.
Cress
A slightly spicy green, (not recommended for people with kidney problems), cress remains a wonder of nature.
It’s not always easy to find, but once you’ve secured a supplier, keep him close!
Cress contains chlorophyll, which aids in the regeneration of healthy red blood cells, which in turn, helps boosts circulation in the blood.
Cress also helps our bodies produce more enzymes, which in turn promotes the power to detoxify.
In a recent study conducted on smokers, it was shown that subjects who ate cress every day (one serving per day), excreted a much higher level of carcinogens in their urine samples. Remember, carcinogens are agents that are capable of provoking cancer. So best get rid of them!
Beets
Here is another excellent detox food that is both affordable and easy to cook.
I prefer beet salad to cooked beets, but that’s just me!
Beets contain the two powerful active ingredients methionin and betanin.
Methionin helps the body purify waste, and betanin helps the liver metabolize fatty acids. This serves to alleviate the liver’s role in the body, so it can concentrate on more dangerous toxins.
Prunes
They are often compared to blueberries, well known for their antioxidant properties.Yes, prunes are an excellent source of antioxidants, so don’t deprive yourself of them. They are also rich in sugar, so no more than 5 per serving, ok?
Nature never ceases to astonish me: On one side we have tartaric acid, which is a natural laxative, and on the other, powerful detoxifying antioxidants (components which help the intestinal tract). Basically, the faster we eliminate waste, the more likely we will prevent toxins from being reabsorbed.
Cruciferae
The cabbage or cruciferous family is a group of vegetables named for their cross-shaped flowers. Examples are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and collards to list a few. They’re easy to find and easy to prepare.
Cruciferae neutralize nitrosamines, toxic agents produced by cigarette smoke. So for each cigarette smoked, eat some cabbage!
Brussel sprouts prevent the onset of aflatoxins, a toxic mold linked to liver cancer.
Whether you eat them cooked or raw, both forms have a positive effect on your health!
Valeire is an entrepreneur, wellbeing expert, celebrity coach, author, contributing editor, mom and survivor. She is also the worldwide image of the Nintendo Wii My Body Coach, which launches in the US in spring 2010. She lives with her husband of 20 years and her teenager in the Silicon Valley.
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Ironic isn’t that that a banana’s diet friendly. And the least diet friendly: a banana split.
true this is ironic but good to know that we can eat what a lot of diets say is BAAAAD!!!!