Detox Fruits - Cranberries, Lemons/Limes, Grapefruits, Apples, Cherries and Figs
An apple a day may keep the doctor away – but so will cranberries, grapefruits, lemons, limes, cherries and figs! These powerhouse fruits are packed with healing compounds that boost enzymatic activity, wash away harmful bacteria and clean out carcinogenic toxins. Fresh is always best and fruit is the perfect fresh detox food. These tart fruits are superstars among healthy food, with a long list of antioxidant vitamins and phytonutrients that protect almost every organ in your body.
The citrus fruits on our list - lemons, limes and grapefruits - are critical for a whole body detox as they cleanse the liver and kidney of toxins. The fiber in apples and figs assist in weight control and flushing the colon of toxins. Cranberries, well known for preventing urinary tract infections, cleanse bacteria from the entire gastrointestinal tract and prevent kidney stone formation. Tart cherries fight inflammation and reduce toxic stress on your joints, creating healthy connective tissue. Read on for more details on the specific cleansing and healing properties of these potent fruits as well tips for shopping, storing and preparing them. CranberriesCranberries are a traditional American berry that were first used by the Native American Indians for food, medicine, red dye, and decorations. Cranberries are well known for being introduced as a sweetened treat at the early New England Thanksgiving feasts. Medicinally these bright red berries were used on wounds and for internal healing – their highly astringent properties stop bleeding and prevent infections.These same properties have been shown by modern research to prevent urinary tract infections, kidney infections, macular degeneration in the eyes, and many cancers. Cranberries contain numerous antioxidants as well as a unique antibacterial compound called hippuric acid. This compound acidifies the urine and prevents E. Coli (responsible for 80% of urinary tract infections) and other bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. Drinking 8 ounces of fresh 100% unsweetened cranberry juice has been shown to wash away significant amounts of bacteria and clear infections. It is a potent natural antibiotic. 1 Cranberries are also a natural probiotic and anti-viral agent. They boost gastrointestinal health and wash away fungus and other bugs. Their high levels of Vitamins A, C and E protect the eyes and boost immune functioning. Fresh cranberries peak during the Holiday season – October through December. They should be ripe, plump, firm and deep red. Make sure to buy them organic. They will store for a long time in the refrigerator – up to several months – and can be frozen to prolong the season. Fresh is always best for the most potent cleansing and healing properties, but when not available, you can purchase them frozen or use unsweetened, organic cranberry juice. Dried cranberries can also by found at health food stores. Make sure to buy unsweetened cranberries with no added sulphur or other chemicals. These additives simply maintain the color but do nothing for the health benefits of the cranberry. Lemons and Limes These luscious, tangy citrus fruits are the king and queen of all detox fruits. Powerfully antiseptic and antimicrobial, they will destroy putrefactive bacteria in your mouth and intestines while clearing mucous build up. They will support your liver, improve your absorption of minerals, promote weight loss, cleanse your blood, and alleviate indigestion.2
All citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C making them a super immune booster. Lemons and limes are particularly astringent and refreshing. Even though they are acidic initially they have an alkalizing effect once entering the body. This alkalizing effect is thought by many health practitioners to heal cells and prevent disease. Lemons, limes and grapefruits contain a special type of phytonutrient called limonoids. These powerful antioxidants promote the formation of detoxifying enzymes in the liver. These enzymes fight toxic compounds, including carcinogens, by making them water soluble so they can be excreted from the body. Limonoids are a phenol, like the antioxidants found in green tea and chocolate, but instead of lasting 4 to 6 hours in the body, these powerful phenols stay active for more than 24 hours! Limonoids spend that time clearing out toxic compounds and preventing cancers of the mouth, skin, lungs, breasts, stomach and colon. 1
Fresh lemons and limes are best for providing the full cleansing properties. Organic is important but not quite as critical as for apples and cranberries. If they are conventional, try to buy them unwaxed. When purchasing, look for fruits that are ripe and heavy for their size – this indicates a larger proportion of juice and less of the rind. They will store at room temperature for up to one week and up to four weeks in the refrigerator. Bringing lemons and limes to room temperature allows them to produce more juice. Rolling them with your hand before cutting will also help to extract more juice. Wash them first, then use a juicer, reamer or the old fashioned hand squeeze to extract the juice. Some of our cleansing recipes that use fresh lemon or lime juice are lemon tahini dressing, lemon jello, lemonade, kale and avocado salad, super pesto, fresh salsa, guacamole, quinoa tabouli…. and many others! Grapefruit Grapefruit is also full of limonoids and many of the detoxing benefits of lemons and limes. Red and pink grapefruits also contain lycopene - the antioxidant found in tomatoes and some other red fruits like watermelon (but not cherries and cranberries). This potent compound is particularly known for protecting against prostate cancer.
Grapefruits reduce bad cholesterol, keeping arteries clean, and lower insulin in the body which helps prevent weight gain. Many diet gurus tout grapefruits as a super diet food for weight loss. These properties are twice as strong in the red and pink varieties as opposed to the white fleshed grapefruit. Whole organic grapefruits are best, but the juice is also highly cleansing. Purchase and store them the same as oranges. Use grapefruit in tangy green salads like our sesame grapefruit salad and pomegranate salad. You can also add them to your salsa for a unique flavor or eat them blended with sweeter fruits in your fresh fruit salad. Apples Apples are so common that many people take their healing properties for granted! Like cranberries, these fruits of the rose family possess a long list of potent antioxidants. They have three properties that combine to make them a top heart health food: 1) high antioxidant content 2) high flavonoid content, and 3) high fiber content.
The fiber is good for cleansing the colon and flushing toxins out of your system. Unlike cranberries, apples also promote lung health – so they are important for respiratory cleansing and restoring asthmatic conditions. Their antioxidants also protect and cleanse the skin. The high pectin content in apples removes cholesterol, the residues of radiation and toxic metals such as lead and mercury. Apples and apple juice are also known for cleansing your liver and gallbladder. They are an essential ingredient for liver and gallbladder flushing due to their special ability to soften gallstones.2 There are hundreds of apple varieties although we commonly only see a handful in our markets. Of the varieties we do see, Fuji apples have the highest antioxidant content. Apples are listed among the top 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue when grown conventionally. So it’s very important to shop for organic apples and apple juice. Apple juice is second best to fresh apples. If you use only the “cloudy” variety with pulp as opposed to clear filtered juice, you’ll receive many more of the health benefits. For maximum potency, try your own fresh juicing. Use fresh chopped apples in your green smoothies, as well as mixed with braised greens or in fresh fruit salad. They are great in oatmeal and kasha porridge. Cherries Tart cherries, like the Bing cherry, are high in antioxidants called anthocyanins. This is what makes them red. These potent healers reduce inflammation and cleanse the joints. Cherries help heal gout, a type of painful arthritis, by lowering uric acid and soothing the joints. This contributes to healthy connective tissue and cleanses out the free radicals, reducing “oxidative stress” – the stress created by free radical formation. This stress leads to many immune disorders.
Cherries also contain beta carotene, 19 times more than strawberries and blueberries. Enjoy fresh cherries in our delicious and healing Cherry Ginger Almond Milkshake. Figs Figs are from the mulberry family and are sweeter than cranberries and other detox fruits. There are more than 150 varieties of figs. They are super high in potassium which controls blood pressure. Many people experience hypertension (high blood pressure) because they eat a diet high in sodium and low in potassium. Figs are great for combating this imbalance. They are also high in calcium, and vitamins A, C and E.
These vitamins cleanse the body, boost the immune system and protect the eyes from macular degeneration. Buy figs either fresh or dried. If fresh, they only store for up to 2 days so eat them quickly! Dried figs are an excellent, healthy snack during your detox. 2 Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition), by Paul Pitchford Return from Cranberries to Detox Foods Return to Home Page
|
Lemon and lime juice will help reduce toxic accumulations in your liver and abdomen. If you are transitioning from a diet of meat, dairy and processed foods to a whole foods, plant based diet, drinking lemon water daily will lighten your toxic burden and provide relief while toxins are being released.2 The juice of one lemon or lime in a glass of warm water is a great detox tonic for starting the day.
