7 Colon Cleansing Foods to Detox and Heal Your Gut
One of the best things you can do for your health is to make sure your gut is healthy. And one of the best ways to do that is by eating a healthy diet! And some foods are so full of gut-friendly nutrients that they’re considered the best colon cleansing foods you can eat.
Here are seven of the top foods for a healthy, detoxed gut.
1. PSYLLIUM HUSK
Psyllium husk is a powerful seed that can really help cleanse the gut. It plumps up in water and can be used as a flour in high-fiber or low-carb breads.
Start slow with psyllium husk, as it can have quite a strong effect until your body gets used to it.
2. VEGETABLES, ESPECIALLY CRUCIFEROUS AND DARK, LEAFY GREENS
Vegetables are some of the great colon cleansing foods because they’re high in fiber, low in fat and calories, and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The best options are dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli, and cruciferous varieties like cabbage and cauliflower.
Veggies also contain prebiotics, the food for probiotics (the healthy gut bacteria).
The best way to eat most vegetables is raw or lightly steamed. If you have a sensitive digestive system that has trouble with raw, cooking can make them easier to digest.
And eating them with some healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, nut butters, avocado, or grass-fed butter, increases the absorption of the nutrients.
3. CAYENNE PEPPER
Cayenne is great for dissolving mucus in the body and stimulating movement int he digestion tract. It can also help improve indigestion, making it a superfood for detoxing and cleansing the colon. That’s why it’s used in the super popular Master Cleanse detox!
Add some cayenne pepper spice to any of your meals for a nice kick and the cleansing benefits of cayenne.
4. PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are the healthy bacteria your colon needs to function properly. Eating the above foods along with some foods rich in probiotics will give your gut a ton of love.
The best way to get probiotics is through fermented foods like:
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Pickles
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Natto
- Miso
These help populate your digestive tract with the good bacteria.
If you’re not able to eat fermented food too often, you can also take a high-quality probiotic supplement.
5. FLAX AND CHIA SEEDS
These seeds are amazing sources of omega 3 fatty acids, essential fats you must get from foods. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory fats that can also help reduce inflammation in the colon.
Besides their good fats, chia and flax seeds plump up when they come into contact with water and help flush the gut. They’re great for people prone to constipation and slow digestion.
Add chia seeds and flax seeds to smoothies, salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or milks.
6. PLAIN WATER
You can’t go wrong with good old water!
The more hydrated your colon is, the healthy is becomes. Plus, being dehydrated can cause constipation and problems with the gut. So along with a healthy diet, drink tons of water throughout the day—at least half of your body weight!
7. BEANS AND LENTILS
Beans and lentils are super high in fiber, starches, and antioxidants, making them a perfect colon-cleansing food. Find your favorite beans or lentils and start adding them to everything—salads, stir fries, or any other lunch or dinner dishes.
For a more intense detoxing experience that’s powerful both physically and emotionally, consider a detox retreat. Blue Karma offers a Detox Luxury Retreat that includes raw foods, cold pressed juices, daily yoga classes and spa treatments, and a purification ritual at Bali’s ancient Sebatu Sacred Waterfalls. Find out more here!
