One of the most important but overlooked aspects of health that could spell the difference between being able to hike up a mountain and struggling to get out of bed is proper diet. Eating a lot of unhealthy and nutrient-deficient meals can cause toxins to build up in your body, resulting in a variety of possibly debilitating health problems. To prevent these problems, you need to eat foods that can help detoxify your body. Here are seven foods that can do that.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is filled with nutrients that help cleanse your body of unhealthy elements. These nutrients include essential fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid and dietary fiber. All these beneficial compounds in flaxseed can combine to cleanse your blood and your bowel, improve the health of your immune system and lower your cholesterol.

Wheatgrass

The chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber, enzymes and protein in wheatgrass give it its detoxifying abilities. Wheatgrass can keep your pH levels stable, purify your blood and boost your liver’s natural ability to rid the body of dangerous toxins. Wheatgrass can also strengthen your immune system.

Apple

There’s some truth behind the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are some of the world’s best superfruits. Apples have the natural ability to detoxify your body, thanks to a soluble fiber called pectin that they contain. Pectin can help flush out heavy metals like lead and aluminum from your system. To get maximum health benefits, choose organic apples, as they have a higher antioxidant content than conventionally grown apples.

Pomegranate

Speaking of antioxidants, pomegranates are some of the most antioxidant-rich fruits in the world. Pomegranates contain anthocyanins, which can protect cells from oxidative stress. The high levels of vitamin C in pomegranates can also help boost your immune system. Drinking an eight-ounce glass of pure, organic pomegranate juice can help lower your blood cholesterol levels and improve your blood flow.

Beetroot

Beetroot is a great source of detoxifying nutrients, such as beta-carotene, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and vitamins B3, B6 and C. Betroot can also stabilize your blood pH levels and help your blood cells take in oxygen, further enhancing your body’s natural ability to detoxify.

Seaweed

Many varieties of seaweed are rich in minerals that can flush out toxins from your body. The alginic acid in seaweed absorbs toxins in your digestive tract while the antioxidants in seaweed help strengthen the digestive system. Some varieties of seaweed, such as hijiki and arame, are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which also promotes detoxification.

Ginger

Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants, such as gingerols and shogaols, which speed up the movement of food through the intestines. Ginger also promotes optimal liver function, thus helping your body detoxify naturally. Meanwhile, the nutrients in ginger can give your immune system a beneficial boost.

Detox plans involving foods that boost the body’s natural ability to detoxify may be helpful, but they are not enough to cleanse your body completely. These superfoods need to be paired with healthy lifestyle changes in order to be effective. To help your body detoxify naturally, complete your detox plan with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle habits.

Learn more about the health benefits of detoxifying at Detox.news.

Sources include:

TheHealthAdventure.org

Food.NDTV.com

Blog.WorkoutHealthy.com