Colon Cleansing Foods

Are you suffering from constipation, bladder and kidney infections, bad breath, body odor, abdominal cramps and nail fungus? Maybe it is time that your colon needs to be cleansed. The colon or the large intestine, is an important part of the digestive system. Not only is it the body's first line of defense against many toxins, bacteria and parasites, it is also responsible for digesting the nutrition, that our bodies rely on for subsistence. The organ is also a critical part of the waste removal process. However, due to the fact that the body absorbs toxins from the food we eat, the medicines we take and the environment we live in, a layer of mucoid plaque is built up in the colon. Nature intended the mucoid plaque to be sloughed off, but due to stress and diet, most of us have many hardened layers of mucoid plaque. This can lead to a lot of health problems from a mild constipation to colon cancer. In fact, it has been ascertained that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America.

So, how exactly do you regulate this? Detoxification by means of a colon cleansing diet is an effective way to keep your digestive system free of mucoid plaque. As you start the intake of foods that colon cleanse, toxins will not build up in the body and the food will be digested fully. This will leave you feeling invigorated and rejuvenated. Here is a list of colon cleansing foods to help detoxify your system.

Colon Cleansing Diets: Foods to Eat

It is widely believed that a plant based diet, rich in fiber, supports a healthy digestive track, by cleaning the debris from the colon. It is also known to reduce the risks of colon cancer. The fiber present in foods like vegetables and fruits, help in exercising the intestinal tract by stimulating the muscular contractions of the bowel, that decrease the bowel transit time. Thus, we need both soluble and insoluble fiber everyday. While the insoluble fiber is especially good for improving elimination and preventing constipation, soluble fiber increases beneficial bacteria, which produce natural antibiotics. Therefore, high fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains are beneficial when included in the daily diet.

Green Foods: The high chlorophyll content in green foods, soothes and heals the damaged tissue in the digestive tract. Known as the body's "internal deodorant", these foods also help the body to obtain more oxygen and draw out toxins. The foods in this category are alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, blue-green algae, etc.

High Fiber Diet: having a high fiber diet, that includes high fiber foods such as brown rice, barley, cabbage, beets, carrots, peas, citrus fruits and apples, help cleanse the colon of the harmful toxins.

Fermented Foods: Fermented foods such as yogurt or kefir can replenish friendly bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria have a host of functions that help the digestive system. They synthesize vitamins from food remnants, degrade the toxins, prevent colonization of disease causing micro-organisms, crowd out the less beneficial bacteria, stimulate the immune system and produce short-chain fatty acids, that provide an energy source for cells lining the colon.

Water: We all know the benefits of drinking lots of water and yet only a few of us pay heed to the advice. Water is a universal solvent and is beneficial in flushing out the toxins from the body. Insufficient amount of it causes constipation and toxicity in the bowel and kidneys. Also, there is an increase in the need for water after excess of physical activities, during fever, in hot or dry climates and with consumption of meat and salty foods. The optimal amount varies widely, but usually about 6 to 10 glasses a day is considered an appropriate amount. Also, the intake of juices made of fresh fruits and vegetables and herbal tea helps in cleansing the colon.

Healthy Oils: Certain oils like fish oil, cod liver oil, coconut oil, olive oil and oregano oil are known to be beneficial for the colon health.

Colon Cleansing Diets: Foods to Avoid

The most common reasons for toxic buildup in the colon are meat and refined sugar. Red meat takes much longer to digest than high fiber foods such as grains, fruit and vegetables. This means that it sits in the intestines and colon for longer, putrefying and causing digestive issues. Similarly, refined sugar slackens up the digestive system instead of speeding its movement. Also cut down on the junk and fried foods, such as potato chips, cakes, noodles etc.

By consuming these colon cleansing foods, the body is allowed to work optimally and eliminate waste efficiently. Thus, a body with efficient digestion has more energy, clearer skin, etc. because it can better absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from the food consumed.