There’s lots of different detox diets and programs available today, but if you’re getting confused and just want some simple tips on how to detox your body, here’s a list of the top foods that you can use to create many recipes for a detox diet plan. You can eat them as-they-come as part of a raw food detox diet, or why not juice them and create your own detox drinks recipes.

If you can afford it I would recommend you buy organic where possible, but non-organic will be fine if you’re on a tight budget. Either way, these foods are fantastic for a completely natural detox diet – why not create a week long menu plan for a really health 7 day detox program?

1. An Apple A Day Keeps the Doc Away.

Did you know that scientists in the Ukraine used apples to help clean and purify the area of Chernobyl when they had that catastrophic disaster back in 1986? That says something about the detox power of apples. Their power comes from high levels of vitamin C and quercetin, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce levels of bad cholesterol.

Apples also have a compound called pectin, which is a fiber present in citrus fruits and berries. Pectin has chelation properties as it binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, and helps your body excrete them. It is also good for helping your body get rid of various food additives and toxins like tartrazine. This toxin has been shown to be linked to conditions and diseases like asthma, migraine and hyperactivity, especially in children.

2. Avocados

Avocados are a real powerhouse of nutrients – rich in folate, fiber, potassium, vitamin E and the carotenoid lutein, beta-carotene and gluthathione. Lutein may be linked to maintaining healthy eyes and vision. An avo is one of a small minority of fruits that actually contain monounsaturated fat.

The natural levels of gluthathione in our bodies decrease as we get older, which is one reason why hangovers get worse as we age. Studies of “older people” have shown that those who had higher levels of glutathione were healthier than those with lower levels. The higher level group were also less likely to suffer from arthritis, which many experts believe is a condition aggravated by excess toxicity in our bodies.

3. Artichokes – A Natural Liver Detoxer

Artichokes are a great tasting zero-fat, zero-cholesterol veg that provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals and phytochemicals including vitamin A, B6, Niacin, folic acid, chromium, potassium, iron and calcium. One powerful detox benefit of artichokes is its ability to increase bile production in the liver. More bile means the body is able to transport more toxins to the bowel for excretion – so a great food for a natural liver detox.

Artichokes are also packed with powerful antioxidants, and are a great food for liver detox. In some European studies, tests showed that where free radicals have damaged the liver, this damage is greatly reduced with the use of artichoke extracts.

4. Beetroot – The Alternative Vampire Deterrent

Beetroot has been used for millennia (literally) as a blood purifying tonic. Roman civilisations were known to have used it extensively for total body detoxing over 2000 years ago. Beetroot is also believed to chelation properties and may help absorb toxic metals. At a polluted mine in Leadville, Colorado, USA, beets (as well as carrots and bananas) are being used to filter pollutants from the natural water supplies.

The use of beetroot for health benefits dates back several thousand years – it was used in ancient Rome as a blood purifying tonic for a total body detox. It also has some chelation properties by binding with heavy metals.

5. Cruciferous or Brassica Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach and cauliflower. All these vegetables are very powerful detox foods. Brussels sprouts have been shown to inhibit the uptake of a toxin called aflatoxin, which is linked to liver cancer. Cruciferous vegetables have also neutralised nitrosamines, which are produced by cigarette smoke.

These vegetables contain a nutrient called glucosinolates, which help the liver to produce vital enzymes.

Clare Denton manages a detox and cleansing site and shows people how to detox their body with simple tips for natural detox diets. You can easily detox your body using natural foods from your local supermarket. How To Detox