Tips for a healthy detox diet in autumn

Foods rich in fibre and antioxidants and fermented foods are a great way to eliminate toxins and ensure good intestinal health.

Even if you have healthy eating habits the rest of the year, there are two very specific times that are synonymous with indulgence: summer holidays and Christmas holidays. The main reason is that these are times of the year packed with social engagements when we get together with family and friends and celebrate around a table full of food and drink, which are not always healthy or balanced.

The increased consumption of alcohol, fried foods, sugary desserts, carbonated drinks, fats and the heavy lunches and dinners typical around these times of year directly affect digestive health. Which is why autumn is the perfect time for a detox diet to eliminate the toxins that gave accumulated over the summer and get your body ready for Christmas.

But not all toxic substances come from food. As Marina Domene, nutritionist at SHA Wellness Clinic explains, “there are studies that show that people who live in cities with high environmental pollution suffer more metabolic issues and have higher rates of obesity and overweight”.

The liver has its own purification and self-cleaning systems and, although there is no food that can replicate them, there are things that you can add to your diet to help the process. “The liver has to do different things to eliminate heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides, which are endocrine disruptors that alter the hormonal system and cause dysfunction. The first step is to limit exposure to toxins by avoiding alcohol and ultra-processed foods rich in sugars, refined flours and hydrogenated fats. It is also important not to abuse medications and to take them only when really necessary, since taking them overloads the liver”, says Marina.

Once the intake of toxic substances has been minimised, it is time to speed up the elimination of those that are already there. Marina recommends eating foods such as “artichokes, because they are very good for the liver and transaminases, and daikon, a Japanese radish that is very good for liver levels. There are also some drinks, such as kombu tea, which helps the kidneys and adrenal glands, or shiitake tea, which lowers cholesterol”.

Another basic factor is to strengthen intestinal health, since the intestine acts as a filter and is the body’s first line of defence. “A healthy microbiota prevents toxins from reaching the bloodstream”, the expert says. “Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, high-fibre foods such as wholegrain cereals, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, thistle, kale and chard help to balance intestinal health. Good levels of glutathione, the body’s major natural antioxidant, are essential for optimising liver function. To do this, eat foods rich in sulphates, such as broccoli, cabbage, onions and garlic, because sulphation is one of the liver’s most important pathways for eliminating toxins”.

To find out more about the SHA Advanced Detox Programme, Click here