The detox diet, how does it work?

Or detoxification is not a story of weight, but of excessive congestion (water, salt, fat, alcohol, etc.) which tires and weakens the body. Thin people may also need detoxification.

Detox diet: what is detoxification?

We can compare the detox to a big cleaning, with two main stages: avoid all pollutants that we breathe (tobacco, diesel micro-particles, etc.), that we drink (alcohol), that we eat (pesticide residues and chemical additives, saturated fats, salt, fast sugars, etc.), and also eliminate as much as possible these pollutants which clutter the body and mind.

Detox, what is it for?

As usual, it’s all about balance. Normally, we should eat our fill, in a balanced way, and stop eating when we are full. But it is not always possible to implement in daily life, and we let ourselves go even more in winter. Rather than a detox diet, it is actually a food rebalancing.

When we eat in excesswith a surplus of proteins, fats, fast sugars, alcohol, but also products full of pesticide residues or a cocktail of chemical additives, our body can no longer eliminate them correctly. Not only does he work twice as hard, but he stores them. The result is seen:

• on the skin: plaques, small pimples, allergies
• on vitality: fatigue, greater susceptibility to infections, headaches
• on digestion: bloating, constipation, nausea
• and finally on weight, increasing since there is storage without elimination – unless you exercise regularly.

Detoxification is therefore relief from the organs which cleanse the body of all these pollutants. It will allow them to declutterof course to cleanof course fixto function better afterwards. Nothing to do with a slimming diet, but rather with return of well-being and physical and moral vitality. Ideal for preparing for the arrival of spring and feeling in great shape to enjoy the first sunny days!

The organs of digestive detoxification

The liver

It is the regulatory organ of the body. It performs more than 500 metabolic functions. It filters the products of digestion by acting on the transformation of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. It also neutralizes all other unwanted and toxic substances such as medications, additive and pesticide residues. These wastes return to the kidneys.

The intestines

The small intestine absorbs nutrients from our food, and the colon participates in the external elimination of unabsorbed residues from the food bolus. But when these residues stagnate there for too long (by constipation for example), they putrefaction and lead to a phenomenon of intoxication.

The kidneys

They filter, eliminate metabolic waste and maintain the hydroelectric, acid-base and osmotic balances of the blood (around 180 g/L are filtered each day).

Another organ participates in detoxification: the lungsby the elimination of waste in the form of carbon dioxide. Regular practice of a sport and/or a good way of breathing contribute to the good activity of the respiratory system and therefore to general vitality.

The skinas the main border with the outside world, is a marker of good or bad detoxification with – or not – spots and red patches.

These 5 detox organs are called “emunctories”.

How to do a good detoxification?

Detox is therefore a return to a healthy lifestyle which does not burden the metabolism with excess of all kinds, and which is based on a few simple principles.

A light diet

A light diet means lots of fruits and vegetables chosen for their detox effects, less – or none at all – meat, few fatty products (cheese, cold meats). It provides fiber and antioxidants.

For more details, see our article The best detox foods

Good hydration is also essential. Popular wisdom advises drinking 1.5 L of water per day, a volume which actually depends on what you drink and the environment. This figure of course depends on your body shape, the amount of water already present in the food you eat and your physical activity. As part of a detox treatment, we recommend that you double your water consumption.

Purifying plants

Aloe vera juice is also an excellent detoxifier that will help you maintain balance of the digestive tract and purify your skin. As part of a detox cure, for a month, dilute 4 to 8 teaspoons in a glass of water or fruit juice, preferably in the morning before breakfast.

For those who wish to detoxify themselves from the residue of medications, chemicals or other toxins of all kinds, chlorella is ideal. The detoxifying effects of this micro-algae are well known today.

A little sport

Sport during a detox treatment, but also throughout the rest of the year, helps the organs function better and avoids constipation.

Good breathing

Good breathing, ventral and deep, activates digestive functions and allows air to circulate well.

Good sleep

A good sleep to recover well and keep your morale high!

Detox is good. For our body, and for our morale too. It can even become a lighter way of living, while knowing how to listen to yourself, and therefore knowing yourself better. Why not adopt it for the long term?

Republished article

Banner illustration: Should we really talk about a detox diet? © Look Studio