Detox Drinks To Beat The Bulge
We’ve been there. When a cheat meal becomes a cheat weekend.
You’ve had too much to drink the night before, or eaten enough food for a four-person family on Sunday. If you want to take a break from your body, here are some drinks that will help you get started.
What is a detox beverage?
The detox drink you choose should include ingredients that will promote the following in your body:
- Alkalising
- Digestion
- Reducing inflammation
- Enhancing metabolism
- Immune system functionality
- Hydration
- Liver Function
Many ‘diet teas’ and dietary teas are on the market today that claim to’reduce your body fat’, or help you achieve a ‘flat stomach in 3 days’. We are not referring to .
You want to help your system process and eliminate anything that is bad. Your body should be working efficiently, not too hard. Your metabolism should be firing and you need to stay hydrated. You want to be alkaline to restore the balance after consuming acidic food and drinks that cause inflammation.
To achieve this detoxification, there are a number of ingredients that we can use. Each has its own health benefits.
Coconut Water
Coconut water contains electrolytes that are essential for maintaining fluid levels. Maintaining your electrolytes will reduce fatigue. Coconut water contains digestive enzymes. Coconut water is the perfect detox drink for people who have been drinking alcohol.
Coconut water is not only great for detoxing, but the electrolytes make it an excellent post-workout beverage. It’s nature’s sports drinks, helping to replenish fluids and electrolytes that are lost when you sweat.
Green Tea
It has so many health advantages that green tea has been called a superfood for years. High levels of polyphenols, which are antioxidants, reduce the formation harmful free radicals within the body. Free radicals can damage cells, promote ageing and are linked to cancer.
Green tea has also been the subject of numerous scientific studies which have shown that it can boost metabolism and increase fat-burning ability.
Warm Water with Lemon
Lemons, although we consider them acidic fruits, have an alkalizing affect on the body when they are digested. You body works best when it is alkaline, as an acidic state can cause inflammation and illness. Lemon’s alkalizing effect helps reduce inflammation, and it also cleanses the liver.
Citric acid, which is present in lemon juice, stimulates the liver and supports digestion.
Ginger
Gingerol has anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger can ease nausea and indigestion by stimulating digestion to help remove waste products and excess gases.
Peppermint
Peppermint is similar to ginger in that it aids digestion, relieving bloating, and relaxing stomach muscles.
If you feel like you’ve overindulged, or need to “detox”, then you’ve likely put your digestive tract through a lot stress in trying to digest all that you’ve consumed.
It will try to remove waste from your body, and absorb nutrients from food that you have eaten. Drinking peppermint tea can help your digestive system to work at its best.
Watermelon juice
Due to its high water contents, it is a great way to rehydrate and flush out toxins. Watermelon contains lycopene antioxidant, which is responsible for its vibrant red color. It can also help reduce harmful effects from toxins like pesticides found in non-organic food. Studies have shown that watermelon consumption can help reduce heart disease risk and aid in kidney cleansing.
Cucumber
Cucumber, often used as a topping for salads, has many health benefits. It is particularly helpful when detoxifying the body. Cucumber helps to flush out toxins from your body and hydrate it.
Cucumbers contain vitamin C to boost your immunity, and fibres that aid digestion.
Here are some recipes you can use, depending on the reason you want to detoxify your body.
Overindulged? Simple Green Smoothie
This recipe is better than most green smoothies that are high on sugar and only contain a few leaves of spinach. Flax seeds increase the fibre and omega-3 fatty acid content.
Ingredients:
- 1 handful spinach
- Kale, 1 handful
- Juice of 1/2 Lime
- Coconut water 200ml
- Fresh pineapple dices 50g
- 1 tbsp of flax seeds
Method:
- Blend all ingredients together.
You can add any healthy ingredients to this smoothie. Try adding a half tsp matcha green powder to your smoothie. It contains powerful antioxidants which will boost your immune system and your metabolism.
Do you feel run down? Ginger, Manuka and Hot Lemon.
This recipe will boost your immunity by using lemon, manuka honey and ginger.
Ingredients:
- Half a lemon juice
- 10g root ginger, sliced
- 1 tsp manuka honey
Method:
- Add the ginger into a mug, and then fill it with boiling water.
- Add the manuka honey.
- Pour the lemon juice in the mug, and mix well.
- Enjoy with a lemon slice.
Over-eaten? Iced green Tea
This recipe contains fresh lemon to help alkalise the body and reduce inflammation following overindulgence. Green tea is also said to boost fat burning.
Ingredients:
- Green tea bag
- Half a lemon juice
- Fresh mint stalk (preferably peppermint).
- Honey 1 tsp
Method:
- Tea bags can be steeped in hot water for a maximum of 3-4 minutes.
- Add the mint and lemon juice to the teabag.
- Remove the mint stem after 2 minutes.
- Mix in the honey and let it cool.
- Serve chilled in a tall, tall glass with lemon slices and ice cubes.
Bloated? Peppermint tea can help you feel better.
Take a large sprig (not a leaf) of peppermint, and steep it in hot water. Allow the peppermint to steep for 2 or 3 minutes before drinking. Ideal to help ease digestion after a heavy meal.
Dehydrated? Coconut and Watermelon Cooler
Coconut and watermelon are great for a hangover. They will help you rehydrate and replace lost electrolytes.
Ingredients:
- Coconut water 200ml
- 100g of watermelon
- Half a lime juice
Method:
- Blend all ingredients in a blender.
- Serve over ice.