Your body has a sophisticated way of eliminating toxins that involve the liver, kidney, digestive system, skin, and lungs. Still, only when these organs are healthy, can they effectively eliminate unwanted substances. The thing is, there’s a common misconception that detox diets can boost your body’s ability to remove toxins. Science has yet to prove this, and many miss out on key parts of a healthy balanced diet.

The good news is there are a number of things you can do to optimize your body’s natural detoxification system. Here are seven of them.

Limit alcohol

The liver’s job is to filter all the blood leaving the stomach and intestines, process and rebalance the blood and get it ready for the rest of the body to use. Excessive drinking can severely damage your liver’s ability to detoxify, so your body will thank you for cutting down. 

Many of us use alcohol as a crutch in social situations or to relax after a long day’s work. To explore how you can incorporate mindful drinking instead, check out this article. 

Get a good night’s rest

Adequate sleep allows your brain to reorganize, recharge, and eliminate toxins that accumulate throughout the day. Some tips for a better night’s sleep include reading before bed, getting outside, and creating a sleep routine.  

Drink more water

Water does so much more than quench your thirst. It regulates your body temperature, aids digestion, and nutrient absorption, and detoxifies your body by removing waste products.

Reduce your intake of sugar, processed foods, and salt

When it comes to eating it’s important to remember “everything in moderation.” Excess junk food and snacks are linked to an increased risk of death due to a higher chance of obesity, diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks. Also, consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain excess fluid which isn’t good for your kidneys or liver.

Eat antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidants protect your cells against free radicals, a byproduct of chemical reactions that cause oxidative stress on our cells which leads to numerous diseases. Consuming foods such as okra, pineapple, and green tea can help protect yourself from these compounds.

Eat foods high in prebiotics

More and more data are coming to light that the bacteria making up the microbiome influence bodily processes, from memory to our risk of cancer, keeping these microorganisms happy is in your best interest. Prebiotics give your gut bacteria a little extra kick, to produce nutrients that benefit your immune system and help detoxify your body.

Exercise

With regular exercise, you boost all your body’s systems, including its detoxification system.