Body detoxification doesn't need to be a chore – here, Angie Newson, suggests including these 10 delicious foods in your diet .

I'm often asked which are the best foods to eat whilst detoxing and the list is endless – nature has blessed us with many health-enhancing and purifying foods that cleanse and nourish our bodies.
Eating "clean" and organic results in natural weight loss, youthful good looks and enhanced longevity. Here are my personal top 10 detox foods:
lemons
Full of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium and perfect for alkalising the body. Start each morning with a mug of warm water and lemon. Drink slowly in one go and follow by a mug of pure warm water.
This beneficial morning habit will wake up your digestion system encouraging the production of bile, cleanse your liver and get you "moving"! Drinking warm lemon water eases constipation, purifies the blood and flushes out waste and toxins.

beets
A fabulous anti-inflammatory power-food and cancer-fighter! Loved by the Ancient Romans and Greeks to give them strength on the battlefield and in the bedroom!
Eat fresh and raw rather than cooked and in a jar or vacuum-sealed. Juice or grate in salads. And don't forget the leaves and stems – full of vitamins and minerals and beneficial for good eye health too – either juice or use in salads.

broccoli sprouts
A young broccoli that looks like alfalfa with the crunchy taste of radish has shown in studies to reduce cancer cells, lower bad cholesterol and have positive effects on diabetes.
Buy some seeds to grow at home for use in salads or throw into the juicer as an addition to your green juice. Broccoli sprouts can also help detoxify the lungs, ease asthma and soothe breathing.

garlic
With my mediterranean background, it's no wonder I love garlic (and onions!). It's a whiffy super-duper detoxifier, and has been used medicinally for thousands of years – as an antibiotic, a blood cleanser and an eliminator of waste and impurities, especially heavy metals.
Chuck in dishes or crush and add to orange juice with some olive oil for a potent liver cleanse drink.

artichokes
Another favourite of mine – and again loved by the Ancient Romans and Greeks. The medicinal and cleansing powers are in the leaves – full of vitamin C and antioxidants and eases irritable bowel syndrome, gas and liver/gall bladder nasties.
Before the "popularity" of statins, artichokes were often prescribed to lower bad cholesterol but that got thrown out the window when governments and pharmaceutical companies collaborated to prove there's no money in natural health!

seaweed
Becoming more widely available (however ensure it's from a reputable source), sea vegetables are rich in vitamin B, full of iodine, magnesium and folate.
Nori, wakame, kombu and kelp are a few of the more popular varieties and increase good bacteria in the gut, reduce wind and are powerful master-cleansers of toxic waste. No wonder the Japanese live to a ripe old age (and stay slim!)

avocado
A good, healthy fat – monounsaturated fatty acids have been shown to actually help weight loss and reduce bad cholesterol. Full of vitamin E, potassium and folate, avocados improve skin appearance, strengthens bloods vessels and regulates blood sugar levels.
Eat in salads, add to juices and use avocado oil when cooking. Scrape out as much of the creamy flesh nearest the skin as this part has shown to have the most antioxidant carotenoids which protect the body against cancers.


Virgin Coconut oil
My favourite body and hair oil. Full of good fats, vitamin E, K and minerals. Glorious for damaged, coloured and dry hair to add lustre, shine and richness and fab for the skin to prevent flaking and premature wrinkles.
You can also ingest coconut oil and use it for cooking or add to juices. It's cleansing and the natural health benefits are endless – reduces stress, eases digestive problems, prevents diabetes, strengthens bones and teeth and prevents liver disease ... Phew!

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Antiseptic, high in minerals and promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Dilute a tablespoon in a glass of water half hour before your meals to aid cleansing of the intestines and promote smooth digestion.
Its unique acid qualities fight parasites, reduces heartburn and helps balance the body's acid/alkaline levels. Ensure it's raw, unfiltered and organic!

Turmeric
I carry a small pot of this magical anti-bacterial Middle Eastern powder around with me in my bag – a sprinkle here and there reduces bloating and stimulates the flow of bile.
Turmeric strengthens and protects the liver, prevents jaundice and hepatitis and also eases period pains. Often used in curries (another favourite of mine), turmeric is often known as "Indian saffron" and it's this ingredient added to rice to turn it yellow!

So there you have it – 10 nutritious foods that help you naturally detox and can easily be incorporated into your daily diet with a little bit of mindful juggling.
I look forward to hearing the foods you recommend to cleanse your digestive system to enable your body to more efficiently detoxify itself.
