Detox Drinks - Do They Work?

Using detox drinks takes your cleanse up a notch and, when done right, helps you lose weight and flush fat quicker.  Body cleansing and detoxification are becoming more popular as our world becomes more polluted and foods become more processed.

Our body is designed to remove waste and toxins naturally - but it can also become over-burdened with waste buildup, leaving these systems sluggish and even prone to “back-up.”   When used correctly, detox drinks can help you stay on track, ward off cravings or help you recover from an indulgent vacation.

There really are many ways to help our bodies cleanse and detox from juicing, colon cleansing programs, nutritional supplements and even fasting.  The detox drinks in this article may be used during a program or as part of a daily, healthy food regimen.  Mix them up so you can reap the variety of benefits found through the healthy ingredients.

Try to use organic fruits, vegetables and even organic teas when possible to make any detox drinks.  When you know what you like and what your body needs, you can mix and match your favorite ingredients; but don't fall into the trap that more is better.  Sometimes less ingredients help your body digest and use the nutrients more efficiently.  So let's get to it.

Detox Drinks That Work

Since fruits are considered nature’s cleanser, they are often the base for many detox drinks, so we’ll start here. For cleansing use fresh, organic juices; these provide the most benefit due to fresh enzymes and vitamins. 

Fruit juices are best known for flushing the body, meaning they help your body flush excess fluids and waste.   Fruits contain the purest form of vitamin water, but they still should be drank in moderation due to the high sugar and lack of fiber to slow sugar absorption. 

Since the morning is your body's natural time to release waste, beginning your day with a fresh fruit detox drink can work with that part of your natural, daily cycle.

Some people prefer to use these type of detox drinks for short fasts of one to three days. Another way to incorporate them is to drink a serving about 20-30 minutes before a meal or possibly in between meals to curb your appetite. This may help you flush bloat quicker – especially if the rest of your meals are healthy.

Fresh Grapefruit Juice

As far as detox drinks, this is the most basic available and can be used a few times a week or daily as part of a short cleanse.  Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is a great way to start your day.  If you are beginning a body cleanse and intend to eat clean and healthy for the rest of the day, this juice will help your body remove the excess waste to begin the deeper body cleanse process.  It is also a foundation for other detox drinks you create.

Why this works; Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is one of the best cleanser’s for your lymphatic system. Grapefruits are extremely high in Vitamin C, which naturally helps your body detoxify.

In addition, grapefruits are high in phytonutrients called limonoids – in particular limonin. This compound is found in the grapefruit in about the same amounts as Vitamin C. These limonoids promote the formation of glutathione-S-transferase, a detoxifying enzyme. This enzyme causes the liver to render toxins to be easily excreted from the body. These compounds are also work as powerful antioxidants.

Grapefruit juice increases activity of the liver enzymes and is said to assist with Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification.  (Some foods only help the body with Phase I detoxification. If unbalanced and left incomplete, these half-neutralized toxins can be more hazardous.)

With all these powerful compounds, grapefruit juice will help your liver detox and clear out harmful carcinogens. What does this mean to you?  Helping your liver function more fully helps it stay healthy.  And a healthy liver is better at neutralizing toxins and burning fat – a job it may put on hold if it’s over burdened.

Fresh Grapefruit, Lime and Orange

Use a citrus juicer to squeeze:
5-6 ounces of Fresh Organic Grapefruits
5-6 ounces of Fresh Orange Juice
Juice from ½ of a lime
Add these and enjoy;
3 Tbsp Flax Oil
1 Cup coconut water

Why this works;  When combined, orange, grapefruit and lime juice may help prevent kidney oxalate stones from forming as it helps you eliminate acids and lower the pH of urine. Also, limes have long been known as an effective remedy for liver troubles. They are high in Vitamins A, B and C as well as minerals. Some even claim if a person eats one “musumbi” (lime) a day, he will remain free from all types of disease as it has great powers to clear waste products from the body.

Cranberry Flush

5 ounces of cranberry juice
2-4 bags of green tea
40 ounces Spring water
Stevia to taste

Bring water to a simmer, turn off heat and steep your tea bags. After about 15-20 minutes, add the cranberry juice and stevia to taste. You may add more water if you like. Drink throughout the day and about 30 minutes before each meal.

The cranberry juice that is best fo this drink can be found at a local health food store or perhaps in the organic section of your local grocer. It must be 100% pure cranberry juice without anything added. (Check the label, you might be surprised.) Cranberry juice contains high levels of organic acids, and when taken on a regular basis, may help your body dissolve fatty deposits.

Why this works;  Cranberry juice has been found in research to inhibit certain strains of bacteria from sticking to red blood cells or mouth cells which can cause them to linger in the body. In addition, it helps block a certain bacteria from sticking to cells causing urinary tract infections. This raises the body’s ability to flush the bacteria out of the system more easily.

Like cranberry juice, green tea is extremely high in antioxidants. It has been known to help many dieters flush belly fat when taken 2-3 times a day. In 1997, researchers found that a component of green tea, an antioxidant called EGCG, is very powerful at limiting the negative side effects of a fatty diet and even smoking.

Pomegranate and/or Cherry juice

Sip on one of these along with a meal or in between for a snack.  They are wonderful when diluted with fresh spring water, and some may prefer to add a little stevia to sweeten since they are very strong.  These are probably best bought at your local health food store as making the juice can be difficult and messy. But be sure it is unadulterated as possible without added chemicals and flavor enhancers (of course). Pick one or the other and consume in the specified amount for at least three months along with your regular healthy diet.

Why this works;  Both are high in antioxidants. Research shows that pomegranate juice is an excellent blood thinner, promotes blood flow to the heart and reduces plaque in the arteries. (1) In addition it raises good cholesterol and lowers the bad. Drinking 1 cup of pomegranate juice daily for three months has shown to increase blood flow to the heart.

Cherry juice lowers uric acid levels in the blood and relieves inflammation. In addition, it is believed by many doctors and scientists that the anthocyanins found in cherry juice may help lower risk of heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. The benefits come by consuming about two tablespoons of tart cherry juice concentrate per day or 2 servings of fresh juice. 

Pomegranate and/or Cherry juice

Sip on one of these along with a meal or in between for a snack.  They are wonderful when diluted with fresh spring water, and some may prefer to add a little stevia to sweeten since they are very strong.  These are probably best bought at your local health food store as making the juice can be difficult and messy. But be sure it is unadulterated as possible without added chemicals and flavor enhancers (of course). Pick one or the other and consume in the specified amount for at least three months along with your regular healthy diet.

Why this works;  Both are high in antioxidants. Research shows that pomegranate juice is an excellent blood thinner, promotes blood flow to the heart and reduces plaque in the arteries. (1) In addition it raises good cholesterol and lowers the bad. Drinking 1 cup of pomegranate juice daily for three months has shown to increase blood flow to the heart.

Cherry juice lowers uric acid levels in the blood and relieves inflammation. In addition, it is believed by many doctors and scientists that the anthocyanins found in cherry juice may help lower risk of heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. The benefits come by consuming about two tablespoons of tart cherry juice concentrate per day or 2 servings of fresh juice. 

Read More;

Vegetable Juice Detox Drinks

Body Detox; Which way works best for you?

Body Cleansing Detox for Glowing Skin

Resources

(1) Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(3):423-433.

(2) PubMed.gov “In vitro studies on the use of clay, clay minerals and charcoal to adsorb bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus.”