A detox simply means abstaining from certain unhealthy substances to cleanse your body from said products. For example, people often detox from alcohol or processed sugar. Sometimes people even undertake intermittent fasting which is becoming hugely popular and is often used as a quick way of detoxing.

Although cutting out whole food groups can be extremely detrimental to our health and well-being, avoiding processed foods and sticking to a cleaner way of eating can aid the body in purifying itself as well as ridding itself of the more toxic elements in our diet.

Several of the best ways to detox

Ensuring you drink enough water is an essential part of any detox. Among the usual benefits, it also helps aid your kidneys in flushing out harmful toxins. Many people also swear by drinking green tea when detoxing as it is an excellent source of antioxidants and also helps to flush out those toxins.

You should also look to avoid adding refined sugars to your diet where possible. Although initially this can lead to fatigue, a high sugar diet can lead to complications such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sugar triggers the release of dopamine, and therefore we constantly crave it as it promotes addictive behaviour.

Another proven method of detoxing is to eat foods that are high in fibre. This aids the digestive system, making it easier and quicker for your body to dispose of toxins in your body. Cardio exercise is also beneficial and even doing even a moderate amount of cardiovascular exercise can cause your heart rate to increase which will aid in the release of toxins.

When should you Detox?

There are many reasons why people choose to detox. A few of the main health benefits a short-term detox can provide are as follows:

• It can improve kidney and liver function
• Increases energy levels
• Can kick-start weight loss goals
• Improves the immune system response
• It’s a start to retrain your brain into cutting out unhealthy dietary habits

It is important to stress that Detox’s, especially those that cut out certain food groups are not intended for long term use and are simply a short-term cleanse. Whilst there are many positive attributes to detoxing, it can also come with negative implications. For example, you may struggle with bloating, loose stools and lethargy as your body adjusts to the detox and is in the process of releasing the toxins.