Detoxification
Detoxification
The purpose of any good Detox is to feel clear and cleansed. Pollution, both indoor pollutants and outside toxins are shockingly high. It is critical to purify the body. The process of detoxification in the body requires a wide range of nutrients. Juices are one of the best ways of nourishing the body without adding to the toxic load or challenging the body’s resources.
Many fruit and vegetables have excellent cleansing properties which are enhanced when they are juiced. Green vegetables, in particular, contain chlorophyll which has a cleansing and healing effect on the digestive tract and liver.
Nutrients and Antioxidants from Fruits and Vegetables: Sources and Benefits
- Lycopene – found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Lycopene has been found to be particularly effective at protecting against prostate cancer (1,2)
- Beta-carotene – found in Carrots, apricots, mangoes, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale. Beta-carotene is the precursor to vitamin A. It is needed for healthy bones, eyes and skin.
- Anthocyanins – found in blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries. Anthocyanins have anti-cancer properties (3,4,5,6,7)
- Quercetin – found in apples and onions. Quercetin helps the body to use blood sugar and inhibits the release of histamine so can help reduce allergic reactions such as hayfever.
- Glutathione – found in green leafy vegetables. Aids in liver detoxification and can protect red and white blood cells.
- Indoles – found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and pak choi. Indoles have powerful anti-cancer properties (8,9,10)
- Vitamin C – found in kiwi fruits, tomatoes, peppers, grapefruits, lemons and berries. Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen and tissue repair and can also improve the effectiveness of other antioxidants.
- Calcium – found in broccoli, kale, cabbage, chicory and lettuce. Calcium is needed for healthy bones and teeth and nervous system function.
- Magnesium – found in broccoli, kale, lettuce, watercress, rocket and alfalfa sprouts. Magnesium is needed for the utilisation of calcium in the body, energy and muscle and nerve function.
- Potassium – found in all fruit and vegetables. Potassium is needed to help control fluid balance, nerve function, maintaining a normal heart beat and muscle contraction.
- Boron – found in apples, pears, carrots and green vegetables. Boron is needed for the utilisation of calcium, bone health and brain function.
Once juiced, the antioxidants in fruit and vegetables become bio-available meaning they are easy for the body to absorb and assimilate.
Including a wide range of different coloured fruit and vegetables in your juice is a good way to ensure you get a wide range of antioxidants.
References
1. Dahan K, Fennal M, Kumar NB. Lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2008 Winter;6(1):29-36
2. Seren S, Lieberman R, Bayraktar UD et al. Lycopene in cancer prevention and treatment. Am J Ther. 2008 Jan-Feb;15(1):66-81
3. Katsube N, Iwashita K, et al. Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells by Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and anthocyanins. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jan 1;51(1):68-75
4. Bomser J, Madhivi DL, et al. In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Planta Med. 1996 Jun;62(3):212-6
5. Nanjoo S, Shiby P et al. Pterostilbene, an active constituent of blueberries, suppresses aberrant crypt foci formation in the azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis model in rats, clinical cancer research, Jan 1, 2007 13, 350-355
6. Yi W, Fischer J. et al. Phenolic compounds in blueberries can inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. J Agric Food Chem, 2005 Sep 7;53(18):7320-9
7. Fimognari C, Lenzi M, Hrelia P. Chemoprevention of cancer by isothiocyanates and anthocyanins: mechanisms of action and structure activity relationship. Curr Med Chem 2008;15(5):440-7
8. Wang TT, Milner MJ, Milner JA, Kim YS. Oestrogen receptor alpha as a target for indole-3-carbinol. J Nutr Biochem 2006 Oct;17(10):659-64
9. Fan S, Meng Q, Auborn K, Carter T, Rosen EM. BRCA1 and BRCA2 as molecular targets for phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and genistein in breast and prostate cancer cells. Br J Cancer. 2006 Feb 13;94(3):407-26
10. RIby JE, Firestone GL, Bjeldanes LF. 3,3’-Diindolymethane reduces levels of HIF- 1alpha and HIF-1 activity in hypoxic cultured human cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 7
10. Guo D, Dashwood R, Inhibition of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo4,5-f quinoline (IQ)-DNA binding in rats given chlorophyllin:dose-response and time-course studies in the liver and colon, Carcinogenesis, 1994;15(4):763-6
