The benefits of a spring detox cure

 Winter often puts the body to the test. A moderate cleansing cure can then be beneficial for the body. Discover how to carry out a detoxifying cure, which is by no means a diet to lose weight, but is ideal for feeling better about your body when spring arrives!

What is a detoxifying cure?

The detoxifying cure would "rid" the body of toxins it has accumulated due to dietary and environmental factors. During the winter, our diet tends to be less healthy, there is a lot of overeating, and physical activity is less frequent. As a result, toxins can accumulate in the body. These toxins are actually residues of chemicals such as pesticides that were in our diet. When we eat too much or too little, we don't give the body time to eliminate these residues1.

A cleansing cure also aims to stimulate the elimination work of the liver and kidneys.

It could thus help to relieve states of fatigue and nervousness, skin problems and insomnia, although a rebalanced diet and the resumption of physical activity also contribute to this.

Caution, a cleansing cure is not a diet. It does not aim to lose weight. Here is what it is advisable to apply: 

Favour light meals, with most of them being fruit and vegetables. Opt especially for those that contain vitamin C such as citrus fruits or acerola, opt for steam cooking which allows you to preserve the vitamins and nutrients contained in vegetables without adding fat (broccoli, green beans, etc...) and add to the menu certain draining and antioxidant foods such as black radish, artichoke or lemon.

Diversify its menus to avoid weariness and eat with pleasure. Vary the flavors, the colors in order to make your plates pretty and appetizing. Avoid fatty meats and prefer lean meats such as chicken or turkey to fill up on animal proteins, or soy or tofu for their vegetable protein content.  

Avoid stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and cigarettes. Take the opportunity to cut down or even stop smoking altogether! Also eliminate or reduce refined sugars and animal fats that are too rich in saturated fatty acids from your diet. Green tea is a good alternative to coffee as it is very rich in antioxidants.

The artichoke

The artichoke contains inulin, a sugar of the fructan family contained in plants. Inulin, when it reaches the colon, is used by the intestinal flora which metabolizes it. It is a prebiotic, i.e. it is not digested or absorbed but it stimulates the development of beneficial bacteria of the intestinal flora such as bifidobacteria. These bacteria help in the synthesis or absorption of several nutrients needed by the body1. The artichoke activates the emission of bile which facilitates digestion2,3. Artichoke can be eaten steamed, in the form of phials or as an infusion by drying the leaves beforehand.

The black radish

Black radish is excellent for treating dyspepsia, i.e. digestive and gastric disorders generally accompanied by feelings of overload or nausea. The black radish would act on the organism by stimulating the intestine and the bile ducts which would increase the secretion of bile and thus the digestion. Black radish has antioxidant virtues4 that limit the oxidation of cells by free radicals and their premature aging. Black radish can be eaten raw or in juice. However, its taste does not please everyone, so there are ready-to-use phials for this purpose. 

The lemon

Starting the day with fresh lemon juice diluted in a cup of hot water can be beneficial. Lemon promotes digestion and helps eliminate toxins more quickly. To cut the bitterness of the lemon, you can add a spoonful of honey. Lemon also has diuretic properties that stimulate kidney activity.

 

The fumitory

The fumitory is a plant with multiple virtues. It would have depurative virtues on the kidneys, gall bladder and liver and would be diuretic. It is consumed in the form of infusion or decoction.

 

Dandelion

The dandelion leaf would be an excellent diuretic according to Commission E and ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy). The consumption of dandelion stimulates the renal functions and the evacuation of urine. It is an additional aid in the elimination of toxins present in the body and cleanses the kidneys. It is also choleretic, i.e. it increases the secretion of bile. Like artichokes, the inulin content (= a sugar from the fructan family) of dandelion makes it an ally in cleansing the intestinal flora. Dandelion is eaten in salads or by infusing dandelion leaves in boiling water. 

During a detox cure it is especially advisable to fill up on fruits and vegetables because they have antioxidant virtues thanks to their content of phenolic compounds, compounds contained in plants that have the ability to neutralize free radicals that damage the cells of the body by oxidizing them.

In order not to lose the vitamins and nutrients contained in vegetables, it is advisable to steam them or cook them in a wok with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Some vitamins and nutrients are water-soluble, i.e. they dissolve in water.

Finally, don't forget to practice a physical activity that goes hand in hand with a fitness program.

It may sometimes be recommended to fast for the 48 hours preceding the treatment. However, if fasting does not suit you, make sure you eliminate at least hard-to-digest foods and meats from your menu, as well as coffee, chocolate, alcohol and spices.