3 detox drinks and say goodbye to winter

1. Lemon and ginger infusion

An infusion (hot water over fresh ginger) or decoction (boil ginger in water for at least 20 minutes and let cool down) of the root or rhizome of the ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), can be used to treat nausea and can help increase digestion tract motility. Zingerones, shogaols and gingerols release the volatile oils which give the root the typical pungent and spicy flavour. You may want to try this in the morning instead of tea, to give you that boost. You may also want to add equal slices of lemon in the infusion or decoction. If you prefer to sweeten slightly the drink, do use a hypoglycemic sweetener such as agave nectar.

2. Coconut water

As well as being a refreshing drink, the water contained in coconuts (cocos nucifera L.) has a good level of electrolytes, balancing minerals and promoting hydration, and a unique chemical composition of sugars, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytohormones that make it a nutritious drink, despite is hypo-caloric nature: 19 kcal for 100 gr of liquid. Coconut water also contains purine-like substances (anti-ageing) and cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) that showed anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic properties.

A drink packed with healthy virtues, coconut water can be enjoyed cool as a thirst-quenching drink, or can be added to your favourite smoothie.

3. Fresh pineapple and papaya juice/smoothie

Do you have a juicer? Time to put it back into action!

Both pineapples and papayas have active enzymes in their pulp (and papaya also in its seeds) that facilitate digestion. Both bromelain in pineapple and papain in papaya are effective in the breakdown of proteins. Natural supplementation of these enzymes is very effective in the management of digestive problems, but can also be useful in cases of insufficiency of pancreatic function and in conditions such as lactose intolerance. Both fruits also contain good levels of thiamine which helps your body transform carbohydrates into energy.

Liquidised with coconut water (double the benefit!) they make into a yummy summery tropical boost for your digestion and energy levels.

References

Lezak M (2000) Herbal Antimicrobials for Intestinal Infections. Appl Nutr Sci Rep. Available http://www.oakwayhealthcenter.com/store/MET_Antimicrobials-for-Intestinal-Infections.pdf

Vermeulen, K. et al. (2002) Antiproliferative effect of plant cytokinin analogues with an inhibitory activity on cyclindependent kinases. Leukemia, 16, 299–305.

Roxas, M. (2008) The role of enzyme supplementation in digestive disorders." Altern Med Rev 13, 4: 307-14 

Zakaria, Z.A. et al. (2006) The anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and wound healing activities of Cocos nucifera L. (MATAG types) fresh juice and kernel extract in experimental animals. J. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 1, 516–526.

Also refer to: http://www.naturopathydigest.com/archives/2006/jun/vasquez.php

The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Nutritionist Resource are reviewed by our editorial team.

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