Many people think of the word detox and instantly shudder.
We are so used to eating processed, sweetened, nutrient-devoid foods that the thought of a diet cleanse is simply frightening!
Well, we’re here to tell you that going on a detox doesn’t have to be scary. What is scary is not knowing about all of the benefits that a detox can have on your mind and body!
Read on for six incredible detox benefits you need to know about before starting your detox journey!
1. It Boosts Your Energy Levels
By moderating what you put into your body, you can enjoy increased energy levels.
Some of the best foods to include in your detox to reap this detox benefit include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts.
Fruits such as mangoes, kiwis, berries, and papayas are great sources of vitamin C, which aids in the body’s immune response and reduces fatigue.
Carrots are high in vitamin A, which is known for maintaining proper organ functioning and plays a role in energy optimization.
Beans, nuts, and seeds also increase energy levels because they are rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E protects cells from free radicals that interrupt the digestive process.
2. It Can Improve Cognitive Functioning
A detox can also improve cognitive functioning.
Removing alcohol from your diet is a component of many detox programs that focus on the improvement of cognitive functioning.
Alcohol is a depressant and affects the brain’s ability to send and receive chemical signals.
Cutting alcohol out of your diet can improve your ability to perform tasks relating to attention, memory, learning, speech, problem-solving, and even reflex coordination. It also provides your liver a detox, which produces a host of other internal benefits.
3. It Supports Digestive Health
The concentrated consumption of certain foods during a detox can improve your digestive health.
Many detox plans revolve around the primary consumption of natural and easily digestible, or when possible, raw foods.
Raw foods such as apples, fennel, and chia seeds encourage regular bowel movement and are great for improving gut health.
Seeking out a detox product for more information on your particular detox plan is very important in making sure your detox is done safely!
4. It Improves Circulation
By aiming to cleanse the blood of toxins and nutritionally reset the body, a detox can also improve blood circulation.
One of the most common ways a detox achieves this is by calling for copious water intake.
By consuming a large amount of water, you encourage the elimination of toxins through the kidneys, skin, and digestive system. In other words, a detox encourages water intake which benefits your circulatory system.
A new, external detox via the feet is also growing in popularity. This foot detox benefits the circulatory system in the same way, pulling out toxins from the skin of the feet.
5. It Reduces the Intensity of Food Cravings
You’d think that cutting back or eliminating so many food groups would leave you with some pretty intense food cravings.
Think again.
Good detox plans counteract this effect, and a good detox benefits you by managing intense food cravings.
Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg imitate the sweetness of honey, sugar, and syrup, which are avoided during detoxes. Sweetening your foods with spices reduces cravings for sweets because you do not feel like you are lacking them.
6. It Reduces Inflammation
One of the main components of many detox plans is the elimination of dairy products.
This yields anti-inflammatory benefits to the body as a result of dairy in itself being inflammatory.
The saturated fats in dairy are known to cause bloating and digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance.
By cutting out dairy for the duration of your detox, inflammation due to prolonged consumption of dairy can reduce drastically.
Start Your Journey: Experience These Detox Benefits Yourself
These detox benefits do not have to be exclusively enjoyed by health gurus. Turn “Should I detox?” into “I’ve got this!” and start your detox journey today!
For more lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness advice, check out the health column of our blog!