Cleanse with My Top 4 Diet Detox Drinks

January 13, 2017
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Fat Flushing sips for yearlong health.

A new year is always time for a cleanse. So, without further ado, please meet my Awesome Foursome Top Diet Detox Drinks you can enjoy throughout the year, 24/7. These satisfying sips are supported by the latest science blended with tried and true ancient wisdom.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries, and pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, have enjoyed superstar status as a prime component of the Fat Flush Plan. Cranberries contain significant amounts of both flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, shown to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” type of cholesterol, which becomes dangerous to the body only after it has been oxidized. Ongoing research continues to suggest that cranberries offer a natural defense against atherosclerosis and heart disease.

At the Technical University of Denmark, researchers compared the health benefits of cranberry and blueberry juice. The results? Cranberries won, hands down! Only a few years ago, some doctors discounted cranberry juice as a natural prevention for bladder infections. Now, thanks to research conducted by the Harvard Medical School and Rutgers University, physicians know that cranberries help prevent the bacteria, E. coli, from sticking to the lining of the bladder.

The news gets even better. It turns out that cranberries have a similar effect in the mouth, preventing bacteria from gathering on the surface of your teeth where it can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. The antibacterial power of cranberries also shows up in the stomach, providing much needed protection against the ulcer-causing bacterium H. pylori.

Lemon and Water

An age-old detox routine. Lemons are high in vitamin C, supplying four times more than oranges. As the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, vitamin C travels through your system, preventing cellular damage and cholesterol buildup by zapping any free radicals it meets. Recently, researchers discovered a substance in lemons called limonene. This essential oil has been shown to shrink cancerous tumors, detoxify carcinogens in the body, and stimulate the healthy flow of lymph fluids.

Lemons also assist in the digestive process by producing necessary enzymes, invigorating the gall bladder and liver, and promoting the absorption of protein and minerals from foods. Lemon juice also helps liquefy fat so that it can be flushed out of your system faster. And, as if that weren’t enough, drinking lemon juice in hot water acts as a mild diuretic, ridding the body of retained water and toxins.

Dandelion Root Tea

An herbal tea with earthy notes, roasted dandelion root is a slimming and caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Especially effective as a liver tonic, dandy tea can help lower elevated liver enzymes for those who have overdone alcohol, sugar, trans fats and medications.

Try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil as a great way to begin your day with metabolism-boosting smart fats. As a huge bonus, your cup of dandelion tea may keep you out of the oncologist’s office. Dandelion root was found to cause melanoma cells to self-destruct (apoptosis)—even drug-resistant ones. Additionally, in 2011 researchers discovered dandelion root tea may contain a “kill switch” for leukemia cells. Other studies have shown dandelion to exert similar effects against cancers of the breast and prostate.

Lecithin Smoothie

A vegan or whey protein smoothie is a great vehicle for lecithin. Adding a tablespoon of lecithin, from non-GMO soy or sunflower seeds to your smoothie is like adding detergent to your dishwater—it melts fat off of your hips and thighs, breaking it down so your body can use what it needs and flush the rest away. It also keeps cholesterol moving through the bloodstream and prevents blockage.

This under-appreciated fat-melting food deserves much more attention than it gets! The brain is composed of about 30% lecithin. The brain-protective insulating sheath that also protects the nerves are about 2/3 lecithin and the heart is loaded with lecithin. It also comes into play because it can thin out bile which is especially important for women who are twice as likely as men to get gallstones. Higher estrogen levels due to hormone replacement therapy or pregnancy can increase cholesterol in the bile and impact gallbladder flow. Lecithin can help move bile along and thin it out.

Adopting my manta that “detox is not a seasonal event—it’s a daily affair” is easy with this these delicious dailies. You’ll feel your best from morning to night all year round. Cheers!

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

18 Comments

  1. Shasha

    Now brand- Detox Support or Now brand- Liver Detoxifier/Regenerator have dandelion root and much more which is awesome. Lemon water after eating raw walnuts (open shells to avoid hidden gluten and freeze so fresh) may help make bowel movements which help detox. Lemon also helps pH. Lecithin helps defat the liver and helps make the connections between the two sides of the brain. Cranberry are low in sugar and helps bacteria not stick. All of these are awesome help! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Helen in CA

    Currently drinking a smoothie for breakfast that has cran juice & a quarter of an organic lemon. Wondering how this works re: detox drinks. Would they be in addition or during the day or ???

    Reply
  3. Team ALG

    Your smoothie certainly counts Helen as a detox drink with cran juice and lemon. Bottoms up!a

    Reply
  4. Midge

    How long are lecithin granules good? I have some I’ve had a couple years.

    Reply
  5. Team ALG

    Midge — If you refrigerate, then the granules should be good for up to 9 months. A couple of years sounds like its time to replace them.

    Reply
  6. Nikki

    Hi there I am currently doing the fat flush plan and I really like it. I’m in stage one and I wanted to know if I should or could add the lecithin to my whey smoothie in the morning. Your thoughts.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Yes you certainly can add lecithin to your whey smoothie in phase one. Enjoy the benefits!

      Reply
  7. Marijke Talyarkhan

    Love all these tips! I suppose I could eat homemade sauerkraut as a snack? A great probiotic ?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Yes, sauerkraut is a great snack.

      Reply
  8. Faith

    Hello ,
    I am in the planning stage of this fat flush detox can I make all the drinks for the day ahead of time I have an insane schedule and my thinking is to save time in the morning and grab a go for mid morning and lunch and mid afternoon,any thoughts??

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Yes Faith, you can make the drinks ahead of time and keep them cold. You could even freeze the ones you will be drinking later in the day and let them thaw gradually to keep them cold.

      Reply
      • Faith

        Thank you!!!This make it very easy : )

        Reply
        • Team ALG

          Great!

          Reply
  9. Cynthia

    where do i get the lecithin?
    thanks.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      You can find lecithin at most health food stores and you can order it on line. The granules and the liquid are both good.

      Reply
  10. Gloria

    Can you use sunflower seeds instead of powder? Is so how much? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lisa P.Team ALG

      Gloria, you want to use the lecithin not the seeds themselves.

      Reply
  11. Laura

    Are all lecithin powder varieties about the same mg doses?
    I’ve been looking at lots of labels, and some don’t even list the mg.
    Ideally, I’d like to avoid soy because of my fibroids (hormonal).
    Also, do you recommend a certain type of lecithin over another? If it’s soy or if soy is the highest per tablespoon, I could try it for a couple weeks, I guess.
    I’m excited at the prospect of slimming my tummy, especially since I always had an enviable one until a couple years ago. Cellulite has gotten worse, despite losing weight. I remember your saying this can because of sluggish liver.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This