10 Best Detoxifying Natural Foods From Our Hunky Naturopathic Doctor

Remember John Dempster? He’s a licensed (and hot) Naturopathic Doctor who practices in Toronto. This is our fourth conversation with the good doctor (here’s the third), who will regularly contribute to Blisstree about health and wellness issues. Find The Dempster Clinic here.

Spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to houses, closets, and backyards; it’s also a chance to scrub our insides clean. Detoxing is a hot topic today – just visit a health food store to see row after row of the latest detox kits or fad diets associated with them. Proper detoxification is important to keep looking and feeling young, healthy, and vibrant, but it’s essential to do it properly. (Contact me at The Dempster Clinic, and stay tuned for my next Blisstree post.) To help start you on your cleansing mission, here’s an arsenal of the top ten most powerful detox foods. (All evidence-based, these foods will help rid your body of the daily toxic assaults to which we’re constantly exposed.)

Ten Best Detoxifying Natural Foods

1. Dandelion greens An excellent liver tonic high in vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and a vast array of essential minerals. The chlorophyll in dandelion greens acts as a powerful blood purifier. Perfect in a salad.

2. Ginger Ginger increases circulation, helping toxins to be excreted through the skin, bowels, and kidneys. Ginger also has powerful immune boosting and anti-parasitic properties. Plus, it helps to combat inflammation, and therefore can relieve pain.

3. Apples These purify the bloodstream and increase lymphatic action. The fibrous pectin in apples helps with colon function and promotes the excretion of toxic waste. The apple’s high vitamin C content also aids detoxification.

4. Lemons This tart fruit aids digestion by increasing saliva flow and stimulating liver function. Lemons help dissolve and bind uric acid and other toxins in the body; they also alkalize the blood, and have diuretic properties.

5. Grapes These stimulate the liver and promote bowel and kidney function. Grapes have a cleansing effect on all tissues and glands, and speed up metabolic function. Purple grapes are high in resveratrol, a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant.

6. Artichokes They stimulate the liver – the body’s major organ of detoxification. By increasing bile production, artichokes help to metabolize fats. Find artichoke extract in natural health food stores.

7. Beets These root vegetables purify the blood, cleanse the liver, and stimulate lymphatic activity. They also aid digestion, and help flush out uric acid from the body.

8. Parsley This little green herb has a powerful cleansing effect on the bloodstream. It stimulates the bowels and supports the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Plus, it’s a great source of vitamins A and C, and detoxifying chlorophyll.

9. Grapefruit This citrus has a cooling and purifying effect on the body, cleansing the liver and gallbladder. A 2004 Scripps Clinic study determined that the frequent consumption of grapefruit before meals also promotes weight loss. If you’re on any medications, consult with your ND, as grapefruit can alter their effects on your body.

10. Chlorella This powerful superfood is actually an algae. But don’t turn up your nose just yet – it not only helps rid our bodies of accumulated heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.), it also acts as a powerful blood tonic providing us with many trace minerals and micronutrients. Splash some into your salad, vegetable juice, or even your glass of water.