Spring is officially here. If you follow the astrological calendar, that means it’s also the true start of the year—and a whole new opportunity for making those resolutions stick. It’s a season of renewal and rebirth, and an ideal time for resetting the health of our bodies and minds, too.
Makes sense then, that according to Chinese medicine, spring is also the best season to support the work of the liver and gallbladder, key organs for cleansing and detoxing. To help us get started down that path, we asked leading naturopaths and nutritionists for the best detox foods to flush toxins, regain energy, and help us feel our most vital for the new season (and year!) ahead.
The 10 best spring detox foods
1. Wheatgrass juice
Not only is wheatgrass high in antioxidants and vitamins, but it may even help lower blood sugar levels and boost the immune system. “For a gentle detox, I like to suggest that my customers drink wheatgrass juice in fresh water every morning,” says certified naturopath Mary Capelle, who recommends buying it in powder form to keep things easy. “The gesture is ultra-simple, yet the impact on health and the cleansing of the body is enormous,” she says, adding that if you’re pregnant, elderly, or ill, you should avoid undergoing any type of “detox” without the support of a medical professional.
2. Artichokes
Artichokes are high in prebiotics and fiber, making them great for supporting digestive health. They also contain cynarins, which are known to help detoxify the liver. “I love them steamed simply as a side dish or on their own,” says Capelle. “I often advise my clients who want to do a light detox to eat steamed artichokes to benefit from the cleansing virtues of this spring vegetable. Just skip any heavy, creamy sauces.”
3. Vegetable juices
Vegetable juices made from celery, kale, spinach, beet, carrots, parsley, or cucumber are some of the most tried-and-true cleansing beverages. “They’re incredible for helping the body eliminate toxins, especially the liver, and aiding digestion,” says Mary Delberghe, a naturopath who specializes in hormonal health. “They’re also a concentrated source of essential vitamins and antioxidants, so they offer real energy and vitality boosts. Last but not least, they are re-mineralizing, which means they support the balance of minerals in the body. In spring, I drink vegetable juice with nettle powder each morning on an empty stomach.”
4. Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea is a known diuretic that can help reduce bloating. It’s also long been celebrated as a liver tonic. “To help the body eliminate toxins gently, there’s nothing better than a dandelion tea for its anti-inflammatory effect as well as its diuretic properties. It gently boosts the liver,” Delberghe agrees. But that’s not all: “Dandelion is also a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells against oxidative damage and perfect for improving digestion, eliminating excess water, and promoting healthy skin. I recommend drinking it three times a day between meals.”
5. Herbal teas
Along those same lines, nutritionist Lucile Champy swears by nourishing herbal teas—and she likes to switch them up seasonally. “For spring, I’m a big fan of herbal teas made from nettle, horsetail, raspberry, and tulsi leaves. I leave them to infuse overnight in an isothermal flask to get maximum concentrated benefits. I filter it the next morning and sip it throughout the day,” she says.
6. Broccoli
The season brings an abundance of fresh vegetables, but Champy is especially fond of one in particular: “It’s the return of broccoli and I’m a fan,” she notes, calling out its important antioxidant benefits. “It really is an excellent health ally which we should be eating much more often, thanks in particular to its content of sulforaphane, a detoxifying enzyme.” Champy recommends cutting it into small pieces and waiting 30 minutes before cooking “to encourage the development of sulforaphane.” She also recommends eating it with mustard, which also has antioxidant-rich sulfur-containing compounds.
7. Ginger
A ginger shot a day may indeed keep the doctor away—especially thanks to ginger’s anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-balancing, and immune boosting properties. “Ginger is also easy to incorporate into your day—add a few slices into your water bottle with a little lemon to help boost metabolism and eliminate toxins,” wellness expert Mélodie Dewever says.
8. Birch water
Birch water, which is derived from the sap of birch trees in the early spring, isn’t something we hear a lot about, but naturopath Sarah Benhamou says it’s excellent for “draining the pancreas, kidneys, liver, and skin while remineralizing the body thanks to its vitamin and mineral content like calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, selenium, zinc, and chromium.” Plus, she says it contains “a good number of other trace elements and minerals needed by the body” as well as collagen-boosting vitamin C.
9. Asparagus
The quintessential spring veggie is high in antioxidants and vitamins, making it a true wonder food. But it’s also great for detoxing the body and supporting the digestive system: “Asparagus is a natural diuretic that helps eliminate toxins while its fiber content also helps balance intestinal flora,” says Benhamou. “It is ideal for combating water retention and is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals—asparagus is the perfect detox food,” she notes.
