After the indulgences of Easter, there is generally a feeling of needing to lighten one's diet and detoxify. Without resorting to fasting, which isn't suitable for everyone, you can take inspiration from our advice to create your own program. If you're wondering what the best natural detox is, here are 4 tips to try to gain lightness and vitality.
Eat less, simply.
Today, most doctors and nutritionists agree on the pointlessness of detox cures touted in women's magazines and some wellness centers.
There is no need to pay a lot for detox products, drinks, or retreats because our body is perfectly capable of detoxifying itself through its emunctory organs: the liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and skin.
If you feel the need to lighten up after overindulging during holidays like Christmas or Easter, the best natural detox is simply to eat less.
It should be clarified immediately that fasting and starving yourself are unnecessary! A balanced diet with fewer fried foods, heavy sauces, and sweets should already help you feel lighter.
If you have a few pounds to lose, you can also take inspiration from Chinese dietary principles and the diet of Buddhist monks at the Shaolin Temple. These vegetarian monks favor fresh, local, and seasonal foods without additives or pesticides.
Try eating as healthily as they do for 7 days by replacing meat and fish with plant-based proteins. The principle of this healthy diet is to combine legumes, grains, and nuts in the same meal to complement the vegetables. You can also eat eggs and tofu.
Drink more water.
As you may have gathered, a balanced diet is the best natural detox, without the need for consuming medicinal plants, exotic foods, or special drinks.
However, it is true that it is important to drink enough water throughout the day so your kidneys can properly perform their elimination function. To detoxify easily and naturally, it is simply a matter of eating less and drinking more water, including in the form of herbal tea or broth (but not exceeding 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day).
Even though Hollywood celebrities swear by green juices made from broccoli, kale, or arugula, for example, you don't have to start your day with vegetable juices!
You can choose the herbal teas you like, as long as you drink them without sugar, or you can prepare detox water flavored to your taste, with mint or lemon for example. Regardless of the plants used, the goal is to drink more water.
3- Give your liver a little boost.
After overindulging in food and alcohol, if you feel that your liver is overwhelmed, you can give this organ a little boost with dietary supplements. The best herbs for a natural liver detox are milk thistle and rosemary, as well as desmodium, a plant native to Africa.
If you suffer from sluggish digestion with constipation and bloating, you can try a course of black radish extract. This plant stimulates bile production and aids in the digestion of fats as well as the activity of certain liver enzymes. However, be careful! Black radish should not be taken in case of gallstones or thyroid treatment with Levothyrox due to possible interactions with this medication.
If you want to accelerate the elimination of uric acid in the kidneys or if you suffer from water retention, you can turn to diuretic plants such as cherry stems, dandelion, or blackcurrant leaves. Note: Diuretic herbal teas are contraindicated for people suffering from low blood pressure, kidney failure, or those already taking diuretic medication.
Keep in mind that these plants can only provide temporary assistance. They will never replace good lifestyle habits!
Move to eliminate.
Regular physical activity, even of moderate intensity, helps to oxygenate the organs and aids in the detoxification of the body.
In this regard, walking is perhaps the best natural detox, as it stimulates the circulation of lymph that is responsible for eliminating waste from the body. Walking also has the advantages of being accessible to everyone, aiding digestion after meals, and combating water retention.
There are no contraindications to walking as long as you go at your own pace. Official recommendations are for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. However, it is possible to split this time and take a 10-minute digestive walk after each meal. It's a good habit to adopt for better digestion and also to help lower blood sugar levels.