As we enter Spring, you might feel your body aching for a cleanse. If you’ve been eating not-so-healthy throughout winter, then your body is ready for a reboot.

Fortunately, spring’s arrival also brings new mineral-rich vegetables to help us detox naturally. You’ll find that most of these foods are high in water, high in fiber, and easy to digest among other properties. And the best part is these foods are plentiful and readily available in your farmer’s market or grocery store!

1. Citrus

   Citrus fruits like orange, lime, lemon, and grapefruit are well-known for their alkalizing properties.

   These foods assist in cleansing through their powerful antioxidants and high concentration of Vitamin C, which is needed to make an essential antioxidant that aids in optimal liver function. 

   Luckily, it’s simple to fit these foods into your day in many ways.  Squeeze some into your water throughout your day, enjoy a grapefruit alongside your breakfast plate, and squeeze lemon or lime on your salads as an extra alkalizing punch and delicious pop of flavor.

2. Dandelions

   Are you scratching your head wondering where dandelions fit into this?  Perhaps you have not heard that those flowers in your yard actually have health benefits, but indeed, they do.

   The roots and leaves of dandelions have powerful detoxifying properties to cleanse the liver.  These roots also take hold of your digestive tract by stimulating juices to help digest fats.  Get your dandelions early in the Spring when they have the best flavor; they tend to turn bitter during the summer.

   You can even make it easier by purchasing dandelion tea at your local health food store.

3. Beets

   With the liver being the primary detoxification organ, it relies heavily on foods that have amazing cleansing and restoring properties.  And beets are the perfect fit for the job! 

   Beets contain important bio-active agents that work to protect the liver by increasing enzymatic antioxidants.  They also have high levels of Vitamin C and a slew of other beneficial nutrients and minerals. 

   Slice up some pickled beets for your salad, roast chopped beets drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs, or, my personal favorite — juice them into your fresh green juices.

4. Cruciferous Veggies

   Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are high in fiber which helps stimulate the natural process of elimination.  Healthy elimination is a crucial part of the cleansing process — the toxins building up in your body must regularly be released.  Cruciferous vegetables also help detox by boosting liver detoxifying enzymes.

   Other cruciferous vegetables include Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, collard greens and arugula, to name a few. 

   You have plenty to choose from, so it should be quite simple to find at least one that you enjoy and start adding it to your plate more often. 

5. Celery

   Celery is chock full of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron, which are alkalizing and neutralizing to acidic foods.  Celery also has a high fiber content, which can further assist with cleansing and healthy elimination. 

   Celery’s another very simple food to find a place for on your plate.  Eat it raw dipped in hummus or guacamole, chop it up on a salad, or cook it in your favorite soup. 

   These are just a few of the foods that you can add to your daily meals to enjoy the detoxifying benefits.  Including a few (or all of them) in your meals and drinks is sure to help you cleanse your body this Spring.  Bon appetit!