Detox: Tips for detoxification treatments

Detoxification, or detox for short, is the detoxification of the body, getting rid of waste products and harmful substances. Various drinks, dietary supplements and holistic concepts are advertised for this purpose. The reasons vary from person to person and range from physical discomfort and skin problems to lack of energy.

The positive answer is: no. A healthy body has the ability to detoxify itself, even in times of excessive consumption of food or stimulants. The liver, kidneys, and intestines take on the tasks of the body’s own detoxification on a daily basis and are up to the task even in “difficult times”.

Now that we know that the body’s self-initiated detoxification is not necessary, the question still arises: if it doesn’t help, does it do any harm? Exactly. Giving your body and digestion a breather from time to time makes perfect sense and can be done away from radical juice cures.

Here are my 5 tips for simple “detoxing”:

Eat fruit or vegetables with every meal: the more colourful the plate, the better! As the icing on the cake, we should also choose regional and, above all, seasonal varieties. Gentle preparation is also recommended: briefly boiled, steamed or raw. Breaded vegetables are heavy on the stomach and should therefore only be used sparingly.

Drink enough water or unsweetened tea every day: this not only supports our kidneys, it also boosts the metabolism and helps you lose weight. Ideally, you should drink 30-35ml per kilogram of body weight per day. My tip: cut down on sugar and therefore calories in drinks. This is not only good for your blood sugar levels, but also for your teeth.

Daily exercise such as going for a walk, climbing stairs, walking or jogging is just as essential for a well-functioning metabolism. Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can be interrupted more often, as our tired muscles and joints also need to be moved and stretched during the day while we work. (A combination of endurance and weight training that is fun and becomes part of everyday life in the long term would be ideal).

Consume alcohol, meat and highly processed products such as convenience foods, junk food and sweets only in moderation: Slow down and only eat once every 2–3 days. Then, however, pay attention to high (organic) quality and regionality, especially with animal products such as meat and fish. On the other days of the week, we pay attention to unprocessed products and eat mainly vegetable-based meals.

Last but not least, we would like to introduce you to 5 of our favourite spices that really “heat up” the body and get a slow metabolism going: Turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger and chilli can be enjoyed in hot drinks as well as on salads, warm vegetable creations, soups and colourful muesli mixes. Go for it!