Let’s detox from overeating!

Celebrating Christmas and seeing off the New Year with family gatherings, friends and waiting for gifts at midnight is a deep-rooted tradition. However, this holiday is usually accompanied by excessive eating and drinking, causing discomfort, guilt, anxiety and a frantic search for ways to “detoxify” the body. But are these strategies really advisable?

Despite the large number of diets and detoxification methods on the Internet, experts agree that the human body has its own natural cleansing mechanisms. Stella L. Volpe, professor and head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Drexel University, points out that the liver plays a fundamental role in the detoxification process, as it is essential for filtering and processing everything we inhale or ingest.

The recommendation is to opt for more reasonable purification care, such as abundant water consumption, reducing sugar and salt and increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables and fiber in general, with the aim of re-establishing a healthy diet.

Excessive nutrition can cause not only physical discomfort, but also serious complications, exacerbating existing diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disorders. With this in mind, the Lidia Sánchez Aesthetic Center gives advice on how to start the new year with a revitalized body.

Tips for a cleansing diet

Hydration with water: Include plenty of water in your diet to cleanse your body, promote elimination of toxins, and maintain proper hydration. A minimum of 2 liters per day is recommended.

Water and lemon on an empty stomach: Balance your body’s pH with a glass of hot water and lemon juice when you wake up, creating an alkaline effect beneficial for liver health and detoxification.

Purifying infusions: opt for green tea and horsetail in the days after overdoing it, thanks to their antioxidant and drainage properties.

Include vegetables: Base your diet on vegetables, especially those with a slightly bitter taste, such as artichokes and eggplants, to cleanse the liver. Consumption of green leafy vegetables is also recommended.

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables: Include foods like oats, broccoli, blueberries, almonds, spinach, and spices like oregano and rosemary, which are known to help the liver function properly.

Prioritize sleep: Maintaining restful sleep is essential for liver health. It has been pointed out that people with sleep apnea may have fatty liver problems.

Reduce your salt and sugar intake: Reduce your salt intake and look for healthy sugar substitutes, as a diet high in salt is associated with cardiovascular risks, and excessive sugar intake can lead to a variety of health problems.

Increase fiber intake: Include foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, brown rice and whole wheat bread, to improve intestinal transit and cleanse the body.

Light and early dinner: opt for light dinners, avoiding high-calorie foods like carbohydrates before bed. It is recommended to eat dinner at least two hours before going to bed to facilitate digestion.