Cleansing has been a part of human health and well-being rituals for thousands of years.

It can leave you feeling light, energized and, in alternative medicine, is even believed to help alleviate allergy symptoms.

WHAT IS CLEANSING

Cleansing or detoxification is the body's natural, on-going process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins. Toxins refer to anything that can potentially cause irritation or harm to the body. They may be formed in the body during normal functions (such as the ammonia produced during the breakdown of protein) or may be ingested or inhaled (such as chemicals from pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals like lead).

When we talk of cleansing, we usually think in terms of fasting or, for those who can afford it, retreating to a spa or health resort. In fact, it also refers to diets, herbs and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health.

There are numerous types of cleansing or detox diets being promoted. Most, however, are quick fixes with superficial results. To have real, lasting effects will require a sensible diet and perhaps even some lifestyle changes. Essentially, it involves...

• Minimizing or avoiding ingestion of chemicals, for example, by eating organic food and using ecological products. Organic food is free from many of the toxins present in conventional food, such as chemical additive allergens monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, artificial colourings and preservatives.
• Choosing foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients and anti-oxidants that the body needs for detoxification.
• Regular intake of 'cleansing foods' that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movement and urination, such as high fibre foods and lots of liquid, specifically water.

IDENTIFYING CLEANSING FOODS

The food we eat greatly affects how our organs work. However, not all foods are created equal in terms of cleansing properties or the nutrients they provide to nourish our cleansing organs.

FRUITS

Tomatoes, which are high in the anti-oxidant lycopene and contain vitamins C and E, help to detoxify and rebuild the liver, an important cleansing organ that turns toxins into harmless substances. Studies show that organic tomatoes can contain up to 100% more nutrients than conventional ones. Moreover, organic ketchup has up to three times as much lycopene as non-organic brands.

Another important cleansing organ is the colon. Fruits like pomegranate and cherry are great colon cleansing foods. They contain powerful polyphenol anti-oxidants which are able to neutralize damaging free radicals and promote the elimination of waste from the body. In the absence of fresh fruits, fruit juice may be a convenient substitute but make sure you get 100% pure juice and even better if it's organic too. It takes less time to digest fruit juice than the fruit itself which means that nutrients can be absorbed straight away and the energy saved can go towards other purposes such as thinking or detoxifying.

Fibre-rich fruits such as figs, prunes, grapes and apricots are often referred to as nature's laxatives. They also act as toners to the stomach and intestines.
 
 
 
 

NUTS & SEEDS

Nuts are a part of many cleansing diets. In particular, almond is a great cleansing food – loaded with fibre, vitamin E, potassium, antioxidants and phytochemicals. 90% of the fats in almonds are unsaturated which help lower bad cholesterol.

Similarly, seeds are good cleansing foods too. Flaxseed (linseed) may just be the new "wonder food" – packed with Omega-3, fibre and lignans, a powerful anti-oxidant. It shows promise in fighting heart disease and lowering the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancer. It also helps in digestion and elimination.

GLUTEN-FREE WHOLE GRAINS

For those of us with wheat and gluten sensitivities, consuming gluten free grains is nothing new. Ironically, having gluten intolerance may be beneficial with regards to cleansing. Gluten can hamper the cleansing process due of its 'sticky' properties.

Therefore, gluten-free grains such as quinoa, millet, amaranth, rice and buckwheat are often listed as the best grains for colon cleansing! Being whole grains, they are a great source of minerals, protein, good fats, lecithin, vitamins B and E, complex carbohydrates and the all important fibre. They're non-acid forming and easy to digest too.

RAW FOODS

Raw foods contain enzymes and have enormously higher nutrient values than the foods that have been cooked.

Enzymes are the Life-Force or energy of food. They assist in the digestion and absorption of food. When juicing or eating raw foods, it is important to choose organically grown produce. Conventional or industrial produce are grown with pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals that are toxic and harmful to the body. Alternatively, you can simply pick a bar of raw, unprocessed food like Larabar. They're delicious and packed full of fibre.

Remember, the best way to cleanse is by enhancing our body's natural cleansing processes through the right stuff we put in. A clean body is a healthy body!