As Chinese old saying, what you eat every day makes you healthy, or ill. If we can choose what we eat, it should be high detox-effective foods. Actually, those foods are familiar than you may think.
The basic detox and nutrients for them are below.
1. Removing the reactive oxygen from the body: β-carotene, vitamin C and E, polyphenol, lycopene are effective for that.
2. Absorbing or excreting toxic substances in the intestine: Prevent constipation with dietary fibers and water. It is very important because that 20% of toxic substances in the body is excreted through urine, and 75% thorough feces.
So, let’s learn what detox-effective foods are.
6 detox-effective foods you can eat everyday
1. Tomato
Tomatoes are so familiar foods, and we can get them all the year round. It contains pectin (dietary fiber) and effective in relieving constipation.
Tomatoes have plenty of vitamin big three: β-carotin, vitamin C, E. Their combined effect keeps blood healthy by removing active oxygen, and prevents arteriosclerosis, cancer, and aging.
The red color of tomatoes is Lycopene. It has a strong effect on anti-oxidant activity that two times more than β-carotin, and 100 times more than vitamin E. It works to keep sodium rate in the moderate level.
The sour taste comes from citric acid. It is effective in recovering from fatigue by removing lactic acid as fatigue stuff. You can eat tomatoes every day, sometimes raw, sometimes sauce or ketchup.
2. Broccoli
Broccolis have been planted in Italia since 2000 years ago, as an improved variety of wild cabbages. They also had been prized as a medicinal plant. They contain dietary fiber much, and activate probiotic bacteria in the intestines. They also have plenty of vitamin C and β-carotin.
They look a bit violet since an anti-oxidant substance called anthocyanin. It inactivates active-oxygen, protects functions of cells, and prevents aging.
Broccolis also contain sulforaphane that has a strong anticancer effect that excretes carcinogenic substances. In addition, they contain AITC (Allyl isothiocyanate) too, it keeps blood flow smooth and prevent blood clots. Cabbages contain it too.
Cabbages, cauliflowesr, kales are in the same family with broccolis, and they have similar effects.
3. Avocado
As avocados are called “butter in the forest,” they contain plenty of lipid, and the 80 % of it is unsaturated fatty acid such as linoleic acid or oleic acid. They prevent keeping excess cholesterol or neutral lipid in the body, and make blood flow smooth. Since they contain plenty of potassium too, They excrete excess sodium.
Avocados are rich in fiber that prevents constipation, iron that prevents anemia, essential amino acids, Vitamin E and C. That is the reason that avocados are prized as “the most high-nutritious food” by the Guinness Book of World Records.
However, be careful too much eating because they are high in calories.
4. Garlic
The smell of garlic is caused by allicin that turns water- soluble vitamin B1 into fat-soluble, then strengthens and keeps the effect of it longer. Since it develops the exchange of sugariness, it is also effective in recovering of fatigue and developing the physical strength. It also lowers cholesterol and makes the blood flow smooth. Allicin turns into scordinin by heat, then improves metabolism and blood circulation, and decomposition of fat.
Allicin is contained in Chinese chives, spring onions, and onions too. They have similar effects. According to National Cancer Institute, garlic is the top one of vegetables that may have effects in preventing cancer.
5. Salmon
Salmon contains unsaturated fatty acid such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
EPA prevents thrombus, and DHA lowers cholesterol and stimulates the development of brain cells. This effect makes the blood flow smooth. The red color of salmon is a carotenoid called “astaxanthin,” an antioxidant, effective in preventing arteriosclerosis. This effect does not be decreased by heat, not be broken easily, so it does not be lost by cooking.
DHA and EPA are also rich in ikura (eggs of salmon,) and blue-skinned fish such as mackerel, sardine, sauries, yellowtail, and tunas.
6. Potato
Potatoes were the main food for Inca civilization, and now we can get them easily all the year round, and we have various recipes with them.
Though the main substance of potatoes is starch, it is low calorie in tubers and roots. The vitamin in potatoes is not broken easily because it is wrapped with starch. When they are cooked in the jacket, their flavor and vitamin C are kept well.
They contain rich fiber, so they are effective against intestinal disorders. They also contain antioxidant, and a kind of polyphenol called chlorogenic acid. And then they contain potassium too, so they excrete excess sodium, prevent cerebrovascular diseases, eliminate wastes by improving kidney function, strengthen muscles, and prevent summer lethargy.
Those 6 foods are familiar and you can get them easily.
You can make many combinations of them, such as follows:
– Tomatoes and seaweed salad with garlic dressing
– Salmon meunière with avocados and yoghurt sauce
– Boiled potatoes and broccolis
– Potato and onion croquette with tomato sauce, and shred cabbage
– A bowl of rice topped with avocados and tuna, with chopped spring onions and nori
…And other countless dishes can be made. Avoid unbalanced diet, and try detox with those foods.
Summary
6 detox-effective foods you can eat everyday
1. Tomato
2. Broccoli
3. Avocado
4. Garlic
5. Salmon
6. Potato