Feeling sluggish? Your body might need a detox boost. Discover natural drinks that cleanse and energize We rounded up seven detox drinks that will help kickstart your digestive system, support your liver, and improve your immune system.
While there are hundreds of bottled detox drinks on the market, the messaging around them can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know: Your body naturally detoxes itself, eliminating toxins and waste each and every day. But there are ways we can help the process along, and consuming certain detox foods and drinks is one extremely effective way.
To help get you started, we rounded up seven detox drink ideas that will give your body a serious boost. These beverages will help support your digestive system, your liver, and your immune system—plus they taste *so* good. Read on to understand how they detox certain areas of the body and to see our favorite detox drink recipes.
Understanding Detoxification
Detoxification is a naturally occurring and ongoing process driven by vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and more. It involves metabolizing medicines, hormones, and food while eliminating environmental toxins like pollutants and pesticides. Contrary to popular belief, detox isn’t a quick fix or a trendy cleanse; it’s a continuous, natural body function.
When to Drink Detox Drinks
When symptoms of inflammation, skin conditions, and GI issues arise, it may be a sign that your body is having difficulty detoxifying itself. Nutrition, supported by supplements, is a great way to combat these issues when they show up. Additionally, incorporating detox drinks as a part of your nutrition plan may help with many, if not all, of the symptoms you are experiencing due to a detoxifying slump.
7 Detox Drinks to Try ASAP
Support your body’s natural detoxification with these seven detox drinks.
1. Green Tea
Turns out, this age-old bevy isn’t just good for your skin, it’s also good for your body. “Green tea is packed with natural polyphenols that support the body’s normal detox system,” says Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, HUM Nutrition’s education specialist. “Polyphenols have a direct impact on the liver—which is the body’s major detox organ—and they also act as antioxidants, which fight free radicals.” Added bonus: If you drink it hot, the hot water can help stimulate the bowels to encourage the elimination of waste (bye, bye bloat!).
How it Detoxes the Body:
Green tea is loaded with natural polyphenols, which support the body’s natural detox system.
2. Cucumber Water
There’s a reason cucumber water is so popular. “Cucumber is a natural, gentle diuretic, which helps the body to pass toxins through urine,” Vaca-Flores says. Water also helps keep your system hydrated and keeps waste moving through your bowels so you’re not backed up or bloated. Slice up one-quarter of a cucumber and add the pieces into your glass of water. It’s as simple as that!
How it Detoxes the Body:
Cucumber is a natural diuretic, making this magical vegetable one that aids the body in passing toxins through urine.
Cucumber Water Recipe
Ingredients:
- One cup of water
- ¼ cucumber, sliced
3. Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne Pepper, Lemon, and Water
If you’re feeling particularly backed up, try this detox drink. It will help clear your system quickly. “Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, a water-soluble fiber that promotes bowel movement,” explains Vaca-Flores. Research shows that cayenne pepper can stimulate circulation and promote digestion—while the water keeps everything moving in the right direction. The lemon does more than help with taste, it also offers vitamin C to give your immune system a boost. Don’t want to drink your ACV? HUM’s new apple cider vinegar gummies are the answer. “HUM’s new PRO ACV Gummy contains 500 mg of organic apple cider vinegar and is designed to support the body’s natural detoxification system and gut health,” Vaca-Flores says.
How it Detoxes the Body:
The pectin in the apple cider vinegar promotes bowel movements, while the cayenne pepper can stimulate circulation and promote digestion.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp of cayenne pepper
- Juice of half a lemon
4. TikTok’s Wellness Tonic
This tonic went viral on TikTok for its immune-boosting benefits. To create it, add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and orange to water and bring to a boil. Then, add the juice of half a lemon and one teaspoon of honey. “This drink is filled with antioxidants from ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, plus vitamin C from the lemon and orange.” The hot water stimulates your bowels, which will help your body eliminate any waste from your system.
How it Detoxes the Body:
Loaded with antioxidants from ginger, cloves and cinnamon, it is also heavy in vitamin C for immune support.
Wellness Tonic Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ orange
- 4-5 cups of boiling water
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 tsp honey
5. Coffee
Good news for coffee lovers everywhere: Your morning cup of joe is one of the best detox drinks you can find. “Coffee is a diuretic and stimulates the bowels, which encourages elimination of waste,” Vaca-Flores explains. “It’s also high in antioxidants, which can support detoxification as well.” In order to reap the full benefits, try to stay away from added sugars in your cup of coffee. A splash of milk or a dairy-free alternative, a dash of cinnamon, or a pinch of sugar will help enhance the taste without detracting from the health benefits.
How it Detoxes the Body:
This diuretic stimulates the bowels, which encourages waste.
Pro tip: Try drinking a cup of water before your coffee—it’ll help your body’s hydration levels.
6. Pink Salt Water
We know that salt water is good for skin and hair, but did you know it’s good for your body too? “Drinking warm salt water has a laxative effect and can cause bowel movements, eliminating waste from the body,” Vaca-Flores says. “It can help you stay hydrated, which is crucial for natural detoxification.” If you want to try the trend, use pink Himalayan salt, which contains over 80 minerals and doesn’t undergo quite as much processing as normal table salt. (Plus, it’s so pretty!)
How it Detoxes the Body:
This drink can act like a laxative of sorts thanks to the warm water and salt mixture.
Pink Salt Electrolyte Water Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tsp of pink Himalayan salt
7. Lemon, Turmeric, Black Pepper, and Water
You’ve heard of lemon water, but have you heard of lemon-turmeric-black pepper water? We’re fans of this detox drink because it’s absolutely loaded with antioxidants. “Antioxidant-rich turmeric has traditionally been used to support digestive, skin, and respiratory tract health,” explains Vaca-Flores. The vitamin C from the lemon also boosts your immune system to help you feel your absolute best. Wondering why black pepper is a part of this recipe? Research has shown that just a little bit of pepper might increase the absorption of turmeric, meaning your body will reap maximum benefits.
How it Detoxes the Body:
Loaded with antioxidants like turmeric, this drink supports digestive, skin, and respiratory tract health. Plus, the vitamin C boosts your immune system.
Lemon Turmeric Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tsp of turmeric powder
- ½ tsp of black pepper
- Juice of half a lemon
The Takeaway on Detoxing and Detox Drinks
Our bodies naturally detox themselves, but there are some things you can do to help the process along. In addition to filling your diet with detox foods, you can also enjoy detox drinks. Not only will their ingredients support your overall health, the water will keep you hydrated (which is crucial for every system in your body). By drinking these beverages, you’ll support your digestive system, immune system, and liver. So make yourself a cup of your favorite detox drink and get to sipping—your body will thank you.
