Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR continues to linger in the severe category, residents are grappling with various health issues, including cough, cold, aggravated asthma symptoms, and respiratory ailments. Combatting this challenge, adopting a morning detox routine has become increasingly essential. Here are 10 morning detox solutions that are packed with antioxidants, essential nutrients, and vitamins to help your body flush out toxins and bolster its defences against the adverse effects of air pollution.
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are abundant in antioxidants and fiber, strengthening your immune system and aiding your body's natural detoxification processes.
Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants that can combat harmful chemicals generated by air pollutants. These fruits are also packed with fibre and essential vitamins, contributing to overall well-being.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts belong to the cruciferous vegetable family and contain compounds that facilitate liver detoxification and toxin elimination.
Garlic is celebrated for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help your body combat the repercussions of pollution and reinforce your immune system.
Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory qualities, contains curcumin, recognised for its detoxifying and antioxidant attributes. You can include it in your meals or relish a warm cup of turmeric tea.
This mixture combines ginger's anti-inflammatory properties, honey's cough-reducing effects, and lemon's immunity-boosting vitamin C. Preparing this tea is as simple as grinding a medium-sized piece of ginger, adding a teaspoon (or more) of honey, and a few drops of lemon juice to boiling water. After reducing the mixture by half and straining it into a cup, sip it warm to naturally detoxify your lungs.
Green tea offers antioxidants and caffeine that gives energy to your body when you're feeling under the weather. Its antioxidants can purify your system by removing toxins and improving digestion, making it a suitable choice to combat air pollution side effects.
This traditional masala chai combines medicinal herbs and spices like ginger, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, cardamom, and tulsi. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties, soothing the throat and reducing congestion and cough. To prepare, grind these ingredients into a coarse paste, add them to boiling water, mix with black tea leaves and sugar for taste.
Aloe vera is renowned for its detoxifying and anti-inflammatory qualities. Combining a tablespoon of aloe vera juice with water and a splash of lemon juice creates a potent detox drink that supports the liver's detox processes and mitigates inflammation caused by pollutants.
Soak chia seeds in water overnight, and in the morning, add a splash of lemon or lime juice. Rich in fibre, chia seeds aid digestion, assist in waste elimination, and provide a sense of fullness, potentially helping control appetite and maintain a healthy weight.