Heading into spring with a feeling of lightness and fresh energy. Detox diets cleanse the body, free it from toxins, and strengthen the immune system.

There are a couple of basic rules for keeping the body’s own detox mechanisms running smoothly. Drink at least two liters of water or unsweetened fruit or herbal tea a day. Only then can toxins and waste products that have accumulated over the past few months be flushed out. Regenerating the body also means eating more simply. Experts recommend not consuming more than two types of fruit or vegetables per meal. Also important: spending at least 20 minutes outdoors every day. Exercise activates the lymphatic system, promotes detoxification and strengthens the immune system. And this is something you can see: the complexion becomes clearer, the metabolism is more active, and the immune system is stronger.

Too many toxins in the body
The signs are clear: a dull complexion, exhaustion, bad mood, frequent headaches, problems sleeping and joint pain. Acidic foods such as processed meat, coffee, sweets, alcohol, milk or cheese are eliminated from the diet and replaced by alkaline foods (fruit and vegetables). Just one detox day is enough to eliminate many toxins from the body. Which detox diet is the right one and how long it should last, whether for a day, a weekend, 14 days or more, is a matter of personal preference. Beginners should start with a short program lasting one to three days. The digestive system is given a rest, the intestines and inner organs can eliminate waste products – the body is cleansed.

Juice for more vitality
The classic and strictest detox diet is the juice cleanse. First, the body is prepared for the juice cleanse with vegetarian and alkaline nutrition for a few days. Then all meals are replaced by juices and smoothies (see recipe page 62). In addition, 2.5 liters of water and herbal tea a day help cleanse the detoxification organs liver, kidneys and intestines.

Cleansing with the Lymphodrainer
The Lymphodrainer is a professional device that improves lymphatic flow and stimulates the metabolism. Waste products are eliminated, skin and tissue are revitalized. Eva-Marie Scheucher, host at the Romantik Hotel im Park in Bad Radkersburg says regarding this treatment, “I recommend the treatment for eliminating waste from the body’s tissues, to improve flow and to regenerate. The skin has a finer, smoother, fresher appearance. The result is enhanced when the treatment is combined with a cleansing full-body brine wrap, an algae wrap, or a pumpkin seed pack that reduces water retention.”