Our blood is absolutely essential - we simply couldn't live without it. We need blood to transport materials around our bodies, including hormones, fats, oxygen, sugar, immune cells, and clotting factors.
You may have heard that certain expensive diet cleanses or detox supplements can help to clean the blood and rid it of waste and toxins. However, this is unnecessary.
Your kidneys and liver exist for a reason. Unless one of these organs is failing, you can rely on them to purify your blood on your behalf, by breaking down waste and removing it from the body. So, rather than following a detox diet, the best way to naturally purify your blood is to help these organs to be as healthy as possible.
In this guide, you'll find a list of the best foods to help the kidneys and liver purify the blood naturally and effectively.
Why Do We Need Blood?
It's a bit of an odd question, but have you ever considered why our bodies actually need blood? We know we couldn't survive without it - but why?
The blood is important for three main purposes:
Transportation.
Firstly, blood acts as a sort of internal highway inside the body, transporting nutrients from the digestive tract to the rest of the body, and transporting waste and hormones to where they need to be. Additionally - and perhaps its most important use - blood transports    oxygen and carbon dioxide gasses to and from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Protection.
Not only does blood keep us alive, but it also protects us from certain harmful invaders. The blood is packed full of white blood cells, which fight against pathogens and prevent us from getting sick. The blood also contains platelet factors, which promote blood clotting if we sustain an injury.
Regulation.
Finally, we need blood to regulate pH in our bodies. Blood can also help to regulate temperature and water levels, which need to be perfectly balanced in order for us to survive. Â Â Â
Considering how many important responsibilities blood has, it's no wonder that so many people are looking for a natural means of keeping the blood purified and healthy.
Luckily, we don't actually need to detoxify our blood ourselves. What we can do, however, is support the liver and kidneys in their role as blood purifier organs.
Let's take a quick look at the cleansing role of the liver and kidneys in the body:
The liver
An organ located in the right-hand side of the abdomen, is needed for food-to-energy conversion. The liver also converts toxins like metals, alcohol and medications into harmless substances, which can then be removed from the body as waste.
The kidneys
are two organs that work in tandem to filter the blood and remove toxins and waste. Â Â Â
It's not just the kidneys and the liver that carry out the natural detox process, either. Also involved in detoxification are the skin, intestines, lymphatic system and spleen.
Best Foods for Purifying Your Blood
Once again, keep in mind that certain detox supplements are not necessarily worth your money when it comes to blood cleansing and purifying. While these supplements may be effective in supporting kidney and liver function, it doesn't mean they'll directly remove waste and toxins from the blood.
You're best looking for foods that can support the liver and kidneys in the detoxification process. Eating a healthy diet, with lots of vegetables and fruits, is essential for blood purification, and the overall health of your body.
The foods listed below have proven particularly beneficial for the liver and kidneys, and can be considered good additions to a natural blood-purifying diet:
1. Water
The simplest and most easily accessible recommendation on this list is also one of the most effective. Drinking enough water is by far the best way to support the performance of your kidneys. Your kidneys couldn't operate without water, so drinking enough water will ensure that the kidneys can properly eliminate waste from the body.
Additionally, water can dilate the blood vessels. This allows blood to move more freely through the body.
Not drinking enough water can lead to kidney damage, so it's important to keep a check on your water consumption if this is something you struggle with. Though the right amount of water required varies from one person to the next, you should aim to drink an average of eight glasses of water per day.
You may need more water if you live in a hot environment, you weigh more, or you engage in challenging workouts that make you lose water through sweat. Men tend to need more water than women, too.
2. Garlic
Raw garlic is one of the healthiest foods on the planet - so it's no surprise that it's capable of naturally purifying the blood.
Allicin, a compound in garlic, is activated when garlic is chopped, crushed or chewed. According to scientific evidence, this allicin can protect the liver from toxic agents, encouraging healthy purification of the blood.
Additionally, garlic's strong antimicrobial properties help to remove bacteria and viruses from the intestines, ensuring the blood doesn't become contaminated with these toxins.
Adding garlic to your daily diet is simple. There's no need to snack on raw garlic if that sounds too horrific. Simply add roasted or fried garlic to your curries and oven bakes. You could also take a shot of crushed garlic in water if you're feeling particularly brave.
3. Coffee
Studies have found that drinking coffee may be able to protect the liver and support healthy functioning of the organ. People with chronic liver disease may especially benefit from coffee, as it has been proven to reduce the risk of cirrhosis, a type of scarring that can affect the liver's ability to function.
Coffee has also been found to improve the response to antiviral treatment for hepatitis C, and even reduce death risk for people with chronic liver disease. This may be because coffee is capable of preventing collagen and fat from accumulating in the liver.
4. Fish
If your diet is lacking in fish, you may be missing out on a whole host of natural blood purification benefits.
Certain fish types, including sardines, salmon and tuna, are known for their high omega-3 fatty acids content. Omega-3 fatty acids are effective in lowering blood pressure. They can also decrease blood triglyceride levels. Both of these benefits can help support the liver and kidneys.
One thing to note is that fish have a high protein content. People with kidney disease should avoid eating too many high-protein foods that the kidneys must work harder to process.
You should also be mindful of where your fish comes from. Local, sustainably farmed fish is the better choice for the environment, and for your body.
5. Cilantro Or Coriander
Cilantro leaf, or coriander for UK readers, is one of the best herbs to add to your diet for kidney and liver health. This pungent herb, favored in Mexican and Asian dishes, can encourage the body to eliminate mercury and other heavy metals that can get into the bloodstream from certain foods or pollutants.
The chlorophyll in coriander has shown effective in detoxing the blood, thanks to its purifying qualities. Studies have also found that the sulfur compounds found in cruciferous vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties and can help support blood detoxification.
6. Beetroot
Like coriander, beetroot is an active cleansing agent, making it effective at supporting overall liver health and blood purification in the body. Beetroot is considered to have liver-protecting properties. You can deduce from this that eating more beets will provide your body with more nutrients that the liver needs for healthy performance.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric has seen a surge in popularity recently, though this golden spice has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for all sorts of ailments.
Turmeric contains an active compound called curcumin, which is considered a natural antioxidant and detox agent. Turmeric is capable of producing detoxifying enzymes in the body, which cleanses the blood.
You can easily add turmeric to your diet. Stir into curries, soups and stews or make yourself a cup of turmeric tea. Add a dash of black pepper to increase turmeric's bioavailability.
8. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, an active component that offers a whole host of health benefits to the body, especially for the blood.
Studies have found that capsaicin can promote overall heart and vascular health, and is capable of dilating blood vessels and reducing blood pressure. Capsaicin has even shown promise in fighting carcinogens, substances that stimulate the body to produce cancer cells.
9. Apples
We've all heard the saying; "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". There are many healthful nutrients found in apples, but one of the most well-known is a soluble fiber called pectin. Pectin helps to balance blood sugar levels, preventing destruction to the kidneys.
Apples are an easy on-the-go snack. For something a little different, try topping apple slices with peanut butter.
10. Blueberries
Being a fantastic source of antioxidants, blueberries have proven effective at protecting the body's organs, including the liver, from damage. According to animal studies, eating whole blueberries can help to boost liver health.
Again, you can snack on blueberries on the go, or add them to your sweet breakfast dishes, like yogurt, pancakes or oatmeal.
11. Herbs for Liver & Kidney Health
Aside from the foods listed above, there are a number of cleansing herbal remedies that can be used to boost liver and kidney health.
Firstly, hibiscus can support the kidneys' ability to remove toxins and cleanse the blood cells, thanks to its diuretic (or kidney-flushing) effects. Drinking a mug of hibiscus tea should help to naturally purify the blood.
Dandelion is another natural diuretic that can help the kidneys to filter waste out of the body. It also contains flavonoids and other minerals that can support the function of the kidneys and liver. Again, dandelion can be consumed in the form of tea.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a natural blood purifier, don't resort to investing in expensive detox supplements. Our bodies are well equipped to purify and detox the blood. All that's important is that we eat a range of healthy foods that support the cleansing function of the liver and kidneys.
Of course, keep in mind that if there's a serious issue with your liver and kidney function, no foods will magically make them better again. If you're dealing with a long-term kidney or liver condition, it's best to speak to a medical professional before you make any dietary changes based on the advice in this article.
Purifying your blood naturally is probably a lot easier than you thought! Simply add the right fruits, vegetables and other foods to your diet to fight toxins and cleanse your system.