Recommended! 6 Foods That Are Experts at Cleansing Your Intestine.

The hot summer weather often leads to physical and mental fatigue, making people lose their appetite and sleep poorly. Coupled with insufficient exercise for many, resulting in too few calories burned, physical health is consequently affected. Nutritionists recommend that in the summer, one should consciously eat more healthy foods that can lower fat and cleanse the intestines to help maintain physical health and avoid developing an overweight figure.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Chinese cabbage contain a phytochemical called isothiocyanate, which not only helps clear intestinal waste but also has anti-cancer properties. To maximize nutrient retention, nutrition experts suggest not cooking these vegetables for too long. Broccoli can be stir-fried or blanched and served as a cold salad.

2. Onion

The gut hosts both probiotics and harmful bacteria. When harmful bacteria overpower probiotics, the balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted, potentially leading to problems like constipation and diarrhea. To nourish and stimulate the growth of probiotics, it's important to eat foods rich in oligosaccharides, and onions are an excellent choice. Additionally, eating onions can prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and improve blood vessel elasticity. Research shows that raw onions have the best health benefits; they can be eaten in salads or as a cold dish. When eating rich, fatty foods like beef or mutton, pairing them with raw onions can help cut through the grease.

Onion and Calamari Tentacles

3. Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, a powerful antimicrobial substance that can activate cells, speed up gastrointestinal motility, boost metabolism, and alleviate fatigue. To preserve the health benefits of garlic, it's best to follow the principle of "eat it raw, not cooked; eat it minced, not whole." Using raw garlic in cold dishes or making a garlic paste are very healthy ways to consume it.

4. Legumes

Legumes are rich in insoluble dietary fiber, which reduces the time food stays in the intestines, prevents constipation, and lowers the risk of colon cancer. Legumes like soybeans and black beans are rich in lecithin, a "master" at breaking down fats and promoting fat metabolism. When grains and legumes are eaten together, their protein utilization rate can increase to 73%, comparable to that of meat and higher than when eating a single protein source alone.

Soy Milk Pasta

5. Fungus and Algae Foods like Kelp and Black Fungus

These foods contain a large amount of plant-based collagen, which effectively promotes the excretion of waste from the body, reduces constipation, and cleanses the intestines, making them a great aid in human metabolism. Kelp is delicious whether boiled, stir-fried, or served as a salad. Adding a few drops of vinegar during cooking not only seasons the dish but also helps with calcium absorption.

6. Whole Grains

Whole grains like oats and brown rice are rich in water-soluble dietary fiber, which can effectively lower cholesterol, clean the digestive tract, regulate blood sugar, and help the body metabolize some carcinogens. Furthermore, these foods are less processed and more nutritious, but their texture can be plain, so pairing them well is important. Experts suggest adding some brown rice when steaming rice, or a handful of oats when making congee or soy milk. This not only boosts the nutritional value but also improves the texture.

Sweet Potato, Spinach, and Brown Rice