Want to support your immune function, liver health, and detox throughout your body? Yes, of course. Each day we live, our bodies are bombarded with toxins, free radicals, and compounds that can damage cells and tissues. They accumulate from our own biochemical processes, substances in our foods, air, water, and toxins like metals in the environment. Fortunately, you can help your body get rid of them. You can use fasting and everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function.
Our bodies are incredible and have organs and systems that do their best to rid toxins each day. But even they can get bogged down in our modern lifestyles. They could use some help. Here are 14 everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function.
14 Everyday Foods that Support Detox, Cleansing, & Healthy Immune Function
1. Greens and Chlorophyll
Remember grade school biology? We learned about the parts of the plant. We learned how plants make their own food with sunlight, soil, and water. And, we learned how plants convert carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight, into oxygen and glucose using chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an extremely powerful compound. It can work wonders in the human body as well.
In fact, chlorophyll and greens in general contain substances that support blood health, oxygenation, and energy levels. It works similarly to hemoglobin in the body, except it carries magnesium instead of iron (1). More, chlorophyll specifically supports digestive health, immune health, and liver health. It has a strong alkalizing effect on the body and improves urine pH, which further supports healthy liver function and removal of toxins like metals, pesticides, and more.
You can get chlorophyll from many of the everyday greens you eat, including alfalfa, kale, and more. However, it’s easier to obtain high amounts of chlorophyll from powdered greens that contain foods like spirulina and wheatgrass, especially if they have been fermented.
Fermentation makes the nutrients in foods like spirulina and wheatgrass even more bioavailable in the body and can deliver high amounts of nutrients and chlorophyll to the blood (2, 3).
Divine Health Fermented Green Supremefood® is a great low-carb source of fermented spirulina, wheatgrass, and more (10 USDA Organic greens and 4 vegetables). It’s easy to add it to your daily routine for your daily chlorophyll needs!
2. High Antioxidants Fruits and Vegetables
Antioxidants are also vital compounds in foods that support your immune system and detoxification of cells.
Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage all cells and systems, including the immune system, reducing inflammation, and support cellular detoxification.
For example, two high-antioxidants superfoods found in Divine Health’s Organic Red Supremefood® that support the immune system in this way are beets and berries (4).
What’s more, most vibrantly, rich-colored fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants. Other good food choices include lemon juice, raw cacao, and greens.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Spices i.e. Ginger and Turmeric
Looking for strong anti-inflammatory foods that support healthy immune function? Ginger and Turmeric are potent spices with anti-inflammatory components. In fact, the main compound in turmeric, curcumin, supports joint health, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and more.
What’s more, ginger has similar functions. It can promote whole-body health, immune health, and pain relief with its strong antioxidants.
Why is reducing inflammation important to support your immune system? Inflammation directly affects the immune system by changing the course of hormones and impacting the immune response (5).
4. Natural Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Fiber
One very important step to support your immune system is to support your gut. The cells in the digestive tract and the healthy bacteria that live there are vital to the immune system and nourishment of the whole body. There are many ways to get probiotics, or healthy bacteria, in low-carbs foods.
In addition, prebiotics are important to the process because they “feed” the healthy bacteria in probiotic foods and the healthy bacteria that already live in the gut. When prebiotics and probiotics are consumed together, the prebiotics display protective effects and significantly improve the vitality and delivery of the probiotics to the gut (6).
You can find prebiotics and probiotics in both Organic Green and Red Supremefood®. In addition, fibers like inulin are protective prebiotic foods sources with many health benefits and support optimal liver function according to the National Liver Foundation (7).
By adding healthy bacteria and prebiotics to your diet, you can support your immune system (8).
5. Fish Oils and Omega-3 Sources
Like anti-inflammatory spices, omega-3 fats from fish and seafood are foods that support your immune system. In fact, they are some of the most potent compounds to reduce inflammatory hormone production.
It’s vital to have a good ratio of dietary omega-3 fats compared to omega-6 fats. Both are needed for human health, but modern diets are far too high in omega-6 foods (mostly due to processed foods), and too low in omega-3s from fish and seafood, seeds, nuts, and more. Great choices for omega3 fats are salmon, halibut, and tuna.
6. MCT Oil Powder
While they work differently than omega3 fats, the medium-chain triglycerides in MCT Oil Powder also promote anti-inflammation. In fact, studies have shown that MCT oil directly reduces C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) (8).
When you reduce inflammation, you allow your immune system to function better, and contribute to cleansing the body and keeping it strong.
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Oleocanthal is a special compound abundantly found in high-quality Greek olive oils. In fact, it contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and many nutrients that support heart health. Oleocanthal is so strong it promotes anti-inflammatory action in similar strength to some medications, like ibuprofen (9). Additionally, it provides both antibacterial and anti-viral action (10), further supporting immune function and detox.
8. Avocados
Avocados are another anti-inflammatory food that supports your immune system. It has fats called phytosterols. They are known to combat the inflammation associated with arthritis. Avocados also contain polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs), which are also potent anti-inflammatories. Lastly, avocado’s oleic acid supports digestive tract health to directly boost the immune system.
9. Collagen and Bone Broth
If you’ve been told to eat chicken noodle soup when you’re sick, it’s mostly for the bone broth. The collagen in bone broth and hydrolyzed collagen powder supports the immune system and detox by:
- Providing amino acids and proteins
- Support the cells in the digestive tract
- Reducing inflammation
10. Garlic and Onions
Garlic is a wonderful food to support your immune system and detox.
Garlic’s compounds are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and supports cellular detox. Studies show that garlic may be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (11) and strong viruses.
Additionally, onions support your immune system with antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer compounds.
11. Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Cloves
Setting in your spice cupboard are incredibly strong foods that support your immune system (in addition to turmeric and ginger). These include:
- Black peppercorns support your immune system with potent antioxidants like piperine and anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Cinnamon is not only known for being anti-inflammatory, but its cinnamaldehyde can also fight infections directly. It inhibits Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori. What’s more, it supports the fight against tooth decay while encouraging the immune response to infection.
- Cloves, like cinnamon, are a spice that supports immune health, fights bacteria, and fights free radicals.
12. Cauliflower and Broccoli
Cauliflower and broccoli are amazing vegetables. In addition to antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, their nutrients specifically support cellular detoxification to keep cells healthy and thriving. This includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 cellular detoxification.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in many folk medicine cures. It is known to fight both bacterial and viral infections, yeasts, and more. Importantly, you should never drink it straight. Always dilute to just 1-2 tablespoons per 8 ounces liquid to protect your esophagus while supporting immune health, liver health, and alkalization of the body.
14. Water, Green Tea, and Black Tea
Green and black tea are packed full of antioxidants that support the body’s fight against free radicals and bacteria while supporting the immune system. In fact, their specific nutrients start working against microbes in the mouth.
And water? Not only is it necessary for life, but it’s also necessary for the immune system. Each day, you can support your liver, kidneys, digestion, and the entire body by staying well-hydrated.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to search far and wide to eat foods that detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. Many everyday foods can do the job. We also offer amazing products that make it easy to add the right foods and ingredients to your daily routine.
