Water

I am fully aware of the fact that this isn’t a food item, but I still think it is essential that I mention it in a post about detoxifying your body. Your body needs water for several reasons, but one of those key reasons is that water is used to rid the body of waste through urination. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommended daily intake of fluids is 3.7 Liters for men and 2.7 Liters for women. That is A LOT of water! Probably more than the average person consumes. So do your body a detoxifying favor and drink more water.

Chlorella and Spirulina

These little chlorophyll packed superfoods are both generally bought in the form of a highly pigmented green powder. Chlorella contributes to the body’s detoxification process by binding to heavy metals and preventing their reabsorption (thus leading to their excretion). Spirulina is a host to many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Chlorella and Spirulina are excellent immune boosters. The ground powdered version of these foods is an easy ingredient to add to a smoothie or protein shake. Currently, I use a daily greens powder (linked here) that contains Chlorella.

Ginger

Ginger is a fantastic anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. It also relieves a wide variety of digestive ailments. There are many ways you can incorporate ginger into your diet. Any grocery store generally sells ginger tea. I also highly recommend grilling salmon with freshly chopped ginger and lemon on top. Which perfectly leads me into the next detox food item...

Lemon

Lemons offer a host of health benefits. These benefits include supporting liver function (an organ to thank for its detoxifying role in the body) and fighting free radicals. Squeeze a fresh lemon into a glass of water or mix it with olive oil and black pepper for a deliciously simple salad dressing.

Leafy Greens

Your mama wasn’t kidding, eat your greens! Leafy greens are one of the healthiest foods out there. They support a healthy digestive tract, are rich in antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory effects in our body. They are nutrient-dense but calorically low. I try to add greens to every meal I eat. Kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage are all examples of leafy greens you could incorporate into your diet. If you don’t like raw vegetables check out the recipe column to the right for examples of blending, sauteeing, or roasting your veggies. 

Green Tea

Green tea is packed full of antioxidants that fight free radicals in our bodies. It also has been shown to support the production of essential detoxification enzymes. Drinking a mid-day green tea is a great way to help your body detox and also lower your caffeine intake. Green tea is an excellent substitute for an afternoon coffee. A cup of green tea contains 30-50 mg of caffeine versus the average cup of coffee which contains anywhere from 100 mg (brewed) to 720 mg (espresso) of caffeine. 

Blueberries

Berries such as blueberries are super high in antioxidants, thus they are a great food to eat to assist your body in the process of detoxification. A handful of blueberries thrown into a smoothie, or just eaten plain is an easy way to increase your antioxidant intake. 

Cilantro

Cilantro, similar to Chlorella, binds to heavy metals such as mercury in your body and promotes their excretion. I love adding chopped cilantro to my salads. It pairs well with almost any food item you can think of. 

Walnuts

Consuming walnuts has been shown to improve circulation and increase blood flow. This is essential for helping detoxifying organs such as the liver filter through blood more quickly and as a result, clear toxins from your body more quickly. They are also an excellent source of healthy fat, specifically omega-3. Eat a handful of raw walnuts, roast them in the oven, or toss them over a salad! 

Cayenne Pepper

If you are a fan of spicy food, Cayenne Pepper is something you should try adding to your meals. It is full of flavor that has been shown to boost immunity, help break down free radicals, and support healthy digestion. 

This list is by no means comprehensive, but I hope it inspires you to start adding foods into your diet that support detoxification. Your body will love you for it. It is also worth mentioning that there is a lot more that contributes to feeling your best than just eating from a list of detoxifying foods. Things such as maximizing your gut health and balancing your hormones are so instrumental in your overall well being. These are topics I plan on discussing in depth in upcoming posts. If you found this post helpful and want to see more like it, enter your name and email down below to get notified when new blog posts are published on It’s Mich. Until then, happy detoxification!

xx Mich