Although modern medicine tends to cast a cynical eye at detoxification practices such as fasting and colon washing, nobody can deny that the human body is exposed to a lot of toxins, and that relief from such toxins can only bring benefits.Unsurprisingly, the most common organs targeted by detoxification are the ones directly in contact with the toxins that enter the body: the liver, the kidneys, and the intestines or colon.Here are some science-supported ways you can clean up your body and feel better, stronger, and healthier through the consumption of detoxifying foods:Liver: The liver is The Great Detoxifier. It is the part of the body that takes all those noxious chemicals and fats that we ingest, and then turns them into something that can be excreted by the body. [1] But that doesn’t mean the liver can’t use a little detoxifying itself.Alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diabetes are just some of the liver’s top enemies. These can all cause injury and inflammation to the liver, preventing this organ from doing its job properly.One natural food item that can detoxify the liver from the effects of alcohol, NSAIDs, and diabetes is bitter gourd. This fruit reduces liver oxidation and inflammation caused by alcohol consumption, [2] stimulates the scavenging of liver free radicals caused by diabetes, and increases glutathione levels, which alleviate liver inflammation caused by NSAIDs. [3], [4]Other natural food items that have been scientifically proven to detoxify or rejuvenate the liver include lemons, [5] avocados, [6] apples, [7] dandelion leaves, [8] and garlic. [9] Kidneys: The kidneys are blood filters. It is their job to collect and eject toxins from our blood. But the kidneys themselves can be vulnerable to toxins such as drugs, microorganism infections, and even excessive calcium or blood sugar. [10] Instead, drink pineapple juice! This vitamin- and fiber-rich liquid is so good at clearing the bowels, it has been consumed to help clear the colons of patients who are about to undergo a colonoscopy procedure. [17]Finally, don’t forget to encourage the healthy growth of beneficial microorganisms in your colon. One proven way of doing that is by eating globe artichokes. [18] Indeed, though modern medicine may pooh-pooh the benefits of faddish “detoxification” methods, we find rich scientific evidence supporting common-sense ways of detoxification: eat healthy food and avoid unhealthy ones. Some foods, though, have been proven healthier and more powerful detoxifiers than others, and since we can only eat so much, it is good to know which foods confer the greatest benefits.After all, with all the toxins around us in our modern world, our body can use all the help it can get…                                                            

References[1] http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-and-function-of-the-liver-90-P03069  

[2] http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3fo60449g

[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19795081

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15927932

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24754177

[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/24860825/

[7] http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308-8146(12)01542-7

[8] http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0278-6915(13)00256-1

[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24646302

[10] http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/howkidneyswrk.cfm

[11] http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200600276

[12] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14616463

[13] http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10534-008-9148-5

[14] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24312764

[15] http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=7491890

[16] http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/expert-answers/colon-cleansing/faq-20058435

[17] http://www.karger.com/?DOI=10.1159/000354094

[18] http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0007114510001571

For detoxifying the kidney, few natural food items are as well known as cranberry juice. Research has proven that cranberries do help clear the kidneys of viral infections [11] and calcium deposits. [12]

Onions, on the other hand, have shown effectiveness in counteracting kidney toxicity from cadmium intoxication. [13] They are also useful for treating renal Toxoplasma gondii infections. [14]

Intestines After our food has been completely mashed up into liquid form by the stomach muscles, the small intestines absorb the food nutrients and send them out to the bloodstream to be delivered to the rest of the body. The unusable parts – the wastes – are then pushed into the large intestines, or the colon.

In other words, the colon is like the body’s trash can. Imagine how disgusting it can get if it isn’t regularly emptied. A lot of bacteria-filled waste material can be left behind to wreak havoc in our body. Lentils are very effective at doing this, and that makes them an excellent colon detoxifier. [15]

Now if you feel like washing out the colon for good measure, there’s no need to go for a colonic irrigation. (In any case, doctors do not recommend colonics anyway, because it heightens our risk of bowel perforation, infection, and electrolyte imbalance.