Our bodies are exposed to harmful chemicals every day in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the environment we live in. Because of this, it’s important to help your body get rid of toxins that may disrupt its normal activity. There are a number of detox products out there, but there are also a lot of things you can do to cleanse and rejuvenate your body naturally. Find out how to detox your body naturally and safely with the following tips.

1. Drink Lots of Water

If you want to know how to detox your body naturally, the first place to start is drinking water. Not only does water satisfy your thirst, but it also regulates your body temperature, aids digestion and nutrient absorption, and removes waste products. The cells in your body release waste as they break down nutrients for energy and repair themselves. If this waste builds up in your blood, it can cause your body harm. Water transports this waste and helps your body get rid of it. That’s why it’s important to drink plenty of clean water and stay hydrated when you are trying to detox your body.

2. Limit Alcohol

Your liver is an important part of your body’s natural detoxification system. When you consume alcohol, your liver metabolizes the alcohol to acetaldehyde, which is a known cancer-causing chemical. Your liver recognizes this chemical as a toxin and converts it to acetate, a harmless substance, which it then eliminates from your body. Excessive alcohol consumption can severely damage your liver’s ability to function so it can’t fully filter waste and other toxins from your body. Limiting or cutting out alcohol is a great way to boost your body’s ability to detox naturally.

3. Get More Sleep

Another important thing to consider when trying to detox your body naturally is how much sleep you’re getting. Your body needs adequate quality sleep each night to stay healthy and remove toxins. When you sleep, your brain recharges itself and your body works on removing toxic waste byproducts that accumulated throughout the day. If your body is sleep-deprived, that means it hasn’t had enough time to perform those necessary functions. This allows toxins to build up in your body and affect your health. Most people require seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to keep their bodies healthy.

4. Reduce Processed Foods and Sugar

Processed foods are filled with toxins. They contain large amounts of refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, all of which are toxic to your body. Removing these foods from your diet and replacing them with healthy foods will reduce your body’s exposure to these toxic chemicals. Eating foods rich in natural nutrients reduces the strain on your body’s natural detoxification system. Nutrient-rich foods also help you detox naturally by increasing the amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals your body requires to eliminate toxins.

5. Add Probiotics to Your Diet

Probiotics are a type of good bacteria that are essential for a healthy gut. Consuming probiotics improves your body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients while also reducing inflammation. Your gut is an important part of your body’s natural detoxification system because the digestive system eliminates toxins that were filtered through the liver. A dysfunctional gut or one with imbalanced bacteria has difficulty fully eliminating these toxins. Add probiotics to your diet to help restore your gut’s bacteria balance so it can more efficiently eliminate toxins. Some foods that are high in probiotics include Greek yogurt, kombucha, kefir, tempeh, sourdough, fermented cheeses, green peas, and pickled vegetables.

6. Eat Foods with Antioxidants

A great way to detox naturally is eating antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are molecules that are naturally produced by your body for cellular processes like digestion. However, the production of excessive free radicals causes damage to your cells and can even play a role in conditions such as liver disease, heart disease, dementia, asthma, and some cancers. A diet rich in antioxidants helps your body counter the effects of excess free radicals and other toxins. The best source of antioxidants is food, not supplements. Foods like fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts, cocoa, coffee, and tea are all high in antioxidants.

7. Stay Active

Regular exercise is key when trying to figure out how to detox your body naturally. Staying active is linked to a longer life and a lower risk of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. One of the most important benefits of exercise for the detoxification process, though, is reduced inflammation. Too much inflammation weakens your body’s systems, including the detoxification system. Staying active helps this system function properly to protect your body from toxins and disease. Ideally, each week you should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise.

More Ways to Keep Your Body Healthy

These are some of the best ways to detox your body naturally and safely. Other helpful detox tips include switching to natural cleaning products and body care products to reduce your body’s exposure to chemicals and eating foods high in sulfur to help your body get rid of heavy metals. While it’s important to eat foods that help your body detox, you also need to make sure the foods you eat are supplying your body with all the nutrients it needs to function. Find out how to avoid the most common nutrient deficiencies to keep your body functioning efficiently.