Detox Diet – How Effective They Are?

What is a detox diet? Detox is the short form for detoxification. Our body becomes contaminated in various ways through tobacco, alcohol, drugs, additives in processed foods, or even from the air around us. Whether ingested through the air or from our intake of food, these chemicals or pollutants increase the levels of toxins in the body. While the body does rid itself of toxins on a daily basis, the levels of toxins may be far more than what it can handle. These increased levels of toxins lead to various problems or diseases such as migraines, joint pains, stomach troubles, heart diseases, obesity, colds and sometimes even cancer.

Healthy Detox Diet Tips

A detox diet is a systematic approach designed to help the body rid itself of these extra toxins in a more effective manner. The concept of a detox diet ranges back to 3,000 years, when it was adopted and practiced in various traditional Indian and Chinese medicines.

A detox diet recommends certain foods to be cut out of the daily diet, and includes certain foods which help flush toxins away. A detox diet is accompanied by a range of holistic techniques such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, skin brushing, salt baths, intake of certain essential nutritional supplements, physical activity, meditation and improving the environment (using non-toxic cosmetics, etc), in order to be completely effective.

In short, a detox program is the application of plain and simple commonsense regarding proper diet, adequate rest, judicious supplements of nutrients, exercise and stress-relieving techniques.

Effects of a detox diet: The positive effects of a detox diet are immediately noticeable in better bowel movements, which in turn leads to better skin, enhanced energy and easier digestion. The stress relieving techniques also lead to a calmer mind, a clearer thinking process and increased levels of concentration. It has also proved helpful in shedding weight.

How a detox diet works: A detox diet requires you to give up certain foods which cause higher levels of toxins to build up in the body. These include gluten, wheat products, eggs, milk, sugar, beverages with caffeine, foods which contain preservatives, chocolate, yeast and foods which have a high fat content.

The foods recommended in a detox diet are vegetables, fruits, rice, fish and herbal teas. These foods are high in vitamins, minerals salts and fiber. You are also required to drink plenty of water, at least two liters in a day. You are also advised to eat your food slowly and chew it thoroughly. All this helps better digestion, better absorption of nutrients, and helps the body flush out waste from the blood.

Tips to make a detox diet effective: While a detox program is basically about a sensible pattern of eating and exercising, it is always better to follow the advice of your health-care provider.

A detox diet is usually followed for a limited and fixed period of time, after which the body needs to go back to its normal schedule, while still adhering to less rigorous but proper eating and exercising habits.

Contraindications: There are some people, however, who should not undergo a detox diet. These include children, pregnant women, and those with eating disorders, cancer, diabetes, thyroid, kidney or auto-immune diseases.