DETOXIFICATION AND ITS BENEFITS

The first time I heard the word detoxification, I thought it was some scientific method, e.g. distillation. When I eventually had an idea of what it meant, I then thought it was for only people with certain medical conditions and people looking to lose weight. Detoxification (detox for short) is the process of removing toxic substance from the body.

Detoxification is a key body function involving the elimination of metabolic waste and other toxins through the eliminatory organs, i.e. the skin, kidneys, and most importantly, the liver. The body should naturally detox on its own, but studies have shown that with the increased rate of pollution in the air, water, and food, the body is unable to keep up at its natural rate of detoxification.

There are many ways to detoxify the body, for example, detox diets, drugs, detox baths, purging, and alternative medicine (e.g. herbs). Studies show that detoxification promotes weight loss and other health benefits. Benefits of detoxification include:

It helps the body eliminate excess waste.
Purging the toxins in your body promotes healthier hair, skin and nails which are all affected by toxicity in the body.
Weight loss
Increased energy and concentration levels
By cleansing your internal organs, you enhance the way your body operates.
Reduced stress levels
Enhanced immune system.

You may be asking, “are there signs to watch out for” or “how do I know when my body needs to be detoxified?” The following may be signs that you have a build up of toxins. Tiredness, headaches, bloating or indigestion, bad breath, trouble concentrating, skin problems, e.g. acne and eczema, irritability, and constipation.

In my next article, I would discuss simple ways we can detoxify the body on a daily basis.

Comments

NUTRITIONAL/HEALTH BENEFITS OF PLANTAINS

P lantains are widely eaten in West Africa. Plantains are similar to bananas but larger in size. While bananas are termed fruits, plantains are vegetables. Bananas are mostly eating raw, while plantains are usually cooked before consumption. Plantains can be eaten unripe, ripen or over-ripe. When unripe, plantains are usually green in colour, when ripen, they turn yellow. In Nigeria, for example, unripe plantains are usually used to cook plantain porridge, ripe plantains are mostly fried and used as a supplement to main dishes like rice and beans. Over-ripe plantains are used to make snacks like plantain fritters.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF ZOBO/SORREL DRINK

z obo/sorrel was a must have during family gatherings. As children, we loved drinking it, not only because of how nice it tasted, but also because it coloured our lips and tongues red. Zobo (Nigerian) or Sorrel (Jamaican) is a red coloured drink made from a flower called Hibiscus sabdariffa. The sorrel plant contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and a group of compounds called flavonoids. Flavanoids not only gives the sorrel plant its deep red colour, but, are also rich in antioxidants which rids the body of toxins. The sorrel plant also contains nutraceleuticals, which are said to be helpful to the health. Nutraceleuticals can help prevent and treat several diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF LIME AND HONEY

L ime and Honey are two must haves in my house. I use honey as a substitute for white sugar. I remember a friend of mine visited me once and she wanted to drink garri (drinking garri is local to Nigerians, i.e. eating dried cassava with cold water as opposed to hot water), she was astonished when I told her to use honey to sweeten her garri. I'm not a tea person, but my parents are, and a cup of tea for them is not complete without limes.

Fabila's Fitness Club

Search This Blog