The following detox superfoods can really boost your body’s in-house detox system. Try to eat at least five of them every day.

1. Garlic: contains nutrients that help your liver’s detoxification system. It also helps eliminate harmful bacteria and yeasts from your intestines. Try adding a handful of raw garlic to salad dressing. If you’d rather (or as well) you can take garlic in capsules, a good one I use in the clinic is Kyolic aged garlic also available as a liquid (good for sore throats or yeast in the mouth).
2. Asparagus: Lightly boil some asparagus until it is tender, drizzle with a little olive oil and squeeze over some lemon juice. This makes a fantastic starter packed with an amino acid called asparagine which, along with potassium, makes it a diuretic and a cleanser. It helps your kidneys flush out toxins and is great for easing bloating.
3. Beetroot: This cleansing food contains the antioxidant betacyanin which gives it its vivid colour and revs up your liver’s detoxifying process. Beetroot tastes great if roasted in olive oil and served in a little balsamic vinegar, but to preserve all its vitamins eat it raw and grated on a salad.
4. Broccoli: High in vitamin C, broccoli is known for its cancer fighting properties. It’s also packed with glucosinolates like sulforaphane which help your liver to process toxins. Dip florets of raw broccoli into hummus, add to stir fries or lightly steam and serve with fish. As well as being a good source of detoxifying and cleansing fibre, leafy greens, like broccoli and cabbage, contain abundant supplies of chlorophyll, one of nature’s best cleansers and detoxifiers. Chlorophyll is often taken as a dietary supplement for its ability to combine with gut toxins and remove them from the body. It is also sometimes used as a breath deodorant.
5. Cabbage: Red, white, green or pak choi cabbage are all great detox foods. They are high in substances called indol-3-carbinol which help to prevent oestrogen from being absorbed in the body while at the same time encouraging its elimination. They are also packed with antioxidants and sulphur-like substances that protect your liver and help it process chemicals. Shred and use in salads or stir fries.
6. Lemons: The yellow colour of lemons comes from their high antioxidant bioflavonoid content. They are great for supporting liver function and help to wash away toxins. The high potassium content of lemons will boost circulation. Potassium also acts as a diuretic and encourages the elimination of nitrogenous waste and chlorides. Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink immediately after rising in the morning or juice along with grapefruit (another great detox food) for a refreshing smoothie.
7. Linseeds/flaxseeds: As well as being a good source of essential fats linseeds are a good source of cleansing fibre because they absorb water and expand in the colon, allowing toxins and mucus to be removed. Some people find that a tablespoon of soaked linseeds in a glass of water are an effective remedy for constipation. If you can’t stand the taste add them to fresh fruit or make a smoothie and sprinkle ground seeds over smoothies or salads.
8. Peppers: Peppers are packed with detoxifying antioxidants. The active compound capsaicin found in peppers helps to boost circulation and aid digestion. You should make sure you eat as many brightly coloured foods as possible so you get a wide range of antioxidants.
9. Papaya and pineapple: Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that encourages the release of waste products and is very soothing to the stomach and digestive tract. Pineapple is also a mild diuretic. Slice them both together and have for breakfast or dessert. Or mix with garlic, chillies, spring onions, cucumber, tomatoes, coriander and lime to make a tasty salsa for steamed fish.
10. Watercress: Another great source of glucosinolates which help to stimulate the liver’s detox enzymes. It’s also packed with magnesium and calcium so it’s a good bone booster. Whip up some watercress soup or use as an alternative to lettuce. You can also blanch watercress and eat as a green vegetable sprinkled with lightly roasted sunflower seeds.

1. Grapefruit: Researchers at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Centre at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California, found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The 2004 Scripps study suggests that the unique chemical properties in this vitamin C-packed citrus fruit may help reduce insulin levels, which promotes weight loss. Note: If you are taking medication, check with your doctor about any potentially adverse interactions with grapefruit
2. Broccoli: Numerous studies link calcium with weight loss and broccoli is not only high in calcium but it’s also loaded with vitamin C which boosts calcium absorption. This weight loss superfood is not only a good source of fat fighting fibre but also a rich source of powerful phytochemicals and vitamin A that can boost your immunity and help protect against disease.
3. Porridge oats: This good source of cholesterol-fighting, heart-protecting, fat-soluble fibre not only keeps you feeling full but is also packed with energy boosting vitamins and minerals.
4. Sunflower seeds: These seeds are a powerhouse of nutritious protein, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that boost energy and metabolism and promote weight loss.
5. Apples: Apples contain pectin. This chemical is also found in most berries, and fresh fruit. The pectin is in the cell walls of most fruits, especially apples. Pectin limits the amount of fat your cells can absorb.
6. Cinnamon: An increasing number of studies show that cinnamon contains substances which can help the body convert sugar into energy so it’s less likely to be stored as fat. You can sprinkle cinnamon on your porridge in the morning along with some nuts or seeds.
7. Soya: Soyabeans contain lecithin, this chemical will shield your cells from accumulating fat. Like a shield, this chemical prevents fat from forming on your cells. It will also break down fatty deposits in your body.
8. Fish oil: Oily fish (salmon, mackerel and herring) won’t just keep you flexible, according to a recent Australian study it could help you fight fat, if you are a sufferer of insulin resistance (a common metabolic problem). Scientists found that overweight and obese people with insulin resistance who exercised for 45 minutes three times a week and took a fish oil supplement lost four and a half pounds in a three month period whereas equivalent exercisers who took no fish oil lost none. The fish oil supplement I use in the clinic is Mega EPA.
9. Almonds: Studies presented at the 2005 Experimental Biology Conference in California, for example, showed that adding almonds to your diet may contribute to greater satiety and may prevent weight gain – the researchers hypothesised that their high levels of fibre and protein could be responsible.
10. Green tea: Research suggests that green tea extract can boost metabolism and by so doing aid weight loss. It has also been reported to contain anti-cancer properties and help prevent heart disease. (See my book Fat around the Middle for more tips on losing stubborn weight).

Almonds (and nuts in general) are prime sources of essential fatty acids which help maintain a healthy balance of sex hormones in men and women. Almonds are also a good source of zinc. Zinc deficiency in women can lead to infertility and an increased risk of miscarriage. Zinc is crucial for guys too as it is also essential for the production of healthy sperm. In short, zinc is crucial for conception as severe deficiencies can impair fertility.

Strawberries: All fruit and vegetables – particularly kiwi fruit, peppers, strawberries and citrus fruits – contain abundant quantities of vitamin C. In women vitamin C can help trigger ovulation and in men it plays a key role in boosting the immune system, and thus aids a healthy conception. This vitamin may also help to prevent the condition known as ‘agglutination’, in which the sperm become stuck together and are unable to reach the egg.

Green vegetables: Green vegetables contain good levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of sex hormones and folic acid helps to prevent spina bifida in the baby. Folic acid and zinc together have been shown to increase sperm counts by 74%. You’ll also find folic acid in nuts and legumes but to be on the safe side take a good antenatal vitamin and mineral too (like Fertility Plus).

Sweet potato: A comforting source of manganese. Research has shown that manganese is important for good reproductive function in both men and women — in other words, it’s a baby-making essential.

Oily fish or hemp or flax seeds: Most of us don’t eat enough essential fats, so when you are trying to maximise your fertility it’s a good idea to add them to your diet. Research has shown the benefits of supplementing with essential fatty acids during pregnancy to avoid low birth weight and also the advantages to the growing baby in terms of brain development. EFAs help regulate hormone levels, ensure proper membrane fluidity and improve sperm quality and blood flow. Anything that helps blood get to sexual organs is helpful and, because semen is rich in prostaglandins (hormone-like fatty acids found in healthy oils), EFAs are especially beneficial to men. If you don’t eat fish, flax or hemp seeds are a superb source of essential fatty acids.

Green tea is thought to be an excellent fertility enhancer because it contains a high level of antioxidants which aid in healthy immune systems. Research has shown that women who regularly drink green tea increase their chance of conception.

Water is critical because 75% of your body is made up of water. Your body uses water constantly to do its normal functions. Drinking water will help flush out wastes, keep your body running smoothly and provide proper fluids for conception to occur. So be sure you drink ample water if you wish to get pregnant! Get in the good habit of drinking at least eight glasses of mineral water a day.

Basil has a warming effect on the body and promotes circulation to the reproductive organs. In some parts of Italy, basil is a love-token. Alfalfa is also considered a general reproductive tonic for both men and women.

Chasteberry: This herb (also known as agnus castus) works to increase fertility by stimulating the pituitary gland. This is the gland responsible for producing sex hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Chasteberry should help fertility by balancing the sex hormones.

Dong Quai is a Chinese fertility herb, long-used to solve menstrual difficulties. It also helps to balance oestrogen levels in the body and improve chances of implantation.

Siberian ginseng: By supporting healthy womb function, Siberian ginseng may be useful in female fertility. Men may experience an increased sperm count. Animal studies indicate that the herb can even boost testosterone levels and thus help reverse certain cases of male impotence.

(Note: It is important to speak to a qualified practitioner before taking herbs while you are trying to get pregnant.)

Lentils: A good low fat source of healthy protein. Protein is essential for your fertility because it keeps your blood sugar levels stable and gives your body the even supply of amino acids it needs to build and repair cells and manufacture fertility hormones. Other good sources of protein include quinoa, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds and soya products.