A large percentage of the American population is currently living with gastrointestinal problems. The reason for this is because so many Americans consume foods that not only lack in nutrients, but also are difficult for the body to digest. When the body cannot properly digest food, it can lead to an impacted colon, which can be a breeding ground for lots of diseases and bacterial infections.
The average American can carry up to 20-25 pounds of waste in the digestive system. Do your body a favor and make sure that this doesn’t happen to you. Eat foods that have natural colon cleansing properties and foods that can help boost your metabolism. When your digestive system is functioning like it should, you’ll feel healthier, have more energy, improve your concentration, and weight loss goals are more easily attained.
Colon Cleansing Foods
Flax & Chia Seeds
Both flax and chia seeds contain healthy fats and fiber that work to stimulate digestion. Since both are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they help to reduce inflammation and stabilize cell walls. The fiber also helps to bind with food to enhance the digestive process.
Lemon
Lemons work to naturally flush toxins from the body and they help to clean out waste or build up in the large intestine. Their antiseptic properties help inhibit bacterial growth in the colon. Try drinking 16 ounces of water with the juice of 1 lemon in it every morning to help cleanse the colon.
Garlic
Garlic can help improve circulation, fight inflammation, and it can help to remove toxins, parasites, and pathogens from the colon. Because garlic has lots of anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps to reduce inflammation in the digestive system and eliminate toxins.
Dark Leafy Greens
If you want to help protect your digestive tract and simultaneously cleanse your colon, you need a lot of green leafy vegetables in your diet. These include kale, spinach, collards, chard, Romaine, and turnip or beet greens. Green vegetables contain chlorophyll, which helps to remove bacteria that accumulate in the colon. It also works to heal the mucus lining of the digestive tract.
Green Tea
Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, helps to normalize your bowels, and works to support your immune system. Green tea’s high vitamin C content helps to remove toxins from the body as well. You can also drink peppermint, flaxseed, or senna leaf teas to help cleanse the colon.
Apples & Apple Cider Vinegar
A lot of recipes that help to cleanse the colon contain both apples and apple cider vinegar. Apples contain fiber, which helps to promote digestion, and apple cider vinegar works to balance pH levels in the body; it also helps to speed up the metabolism. The pectin in apples helps to strengthen the inner lining of the colon as well.
