9 Essentials of a Diet Detox

Set yourself up for detoxing success by keeping these key ingredients on hand
Set yourself up for detoxing success by keeping these key ingredients on hand

Set yourself up for detoxing success by keeping these key ingredients on hand
By The Editors of Prevention

Getting ready to clean up your diet with a detox or cleanse? Here are nine ingredients that should be part of your regimen, says Rebecca Katz, MS, the author of The Longevity Kitchen.

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Blueberries
These tiny berries pack a wallop of anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that help your body eliminate toxins. You get the benefits whether fresh or frozen, so throw a couple in these 25 Delicious Detox Smoothies for an extra healthy boost.

Ginger

This spice is right for you; ginger is a digestive tonic that aids circulation.

Lemon

Tart and smart, lemon offers up antioxidant compounds called limonoids that activate detoxifying enzymes.

Mango

Just one cup of sliced mango meets 3/4 of your daily vitamin C needs. The fruit also contains fiber, which aids your digestion. (Learn more about How Your Gut Affects Your Health.)

Orange
One orange packs more than 100% of the suggested intake of vitamin C. Like lemon, oranges contain limonoids that help activate the body's detox process.

Parsley

Add some parsley to your diet for a natural diuretic: The herb promotes the elimination of toxins in the urine.

More from Prevention: 16 Simple Healing Foods

Peppermint
More than just a breath freshener, peppermint also works as a natural appetite suppressant and antimicrobial that eliminates germs in food and makes you feel fuller.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice contains punicalagin, an antioxidant that promotes detoxification and may inhibit colon cancer.

More from Prevention: 25 Worst Diet Tips--Ever!

Thyme
More than just a tasty herb, thyme helps neutralize bugs, including strains of E. coli and staph that can cause serious illness.

Ready to put these to work? Give our Totally Sane 3-Day Detox a try!