Fibre also helps protect the kidneys and liver – both crucial for removing toxins from the body – by protecting them from harmful bacteria and helping beneficial bacteria to grow.
To increase your fibre intake, plant-based foods are your best bet. Dried fruits like apricots, leafy vegetables like spinach and legumes like a chickpeas, lentils and beans are all high in fibre, as are porridge oats and wholewheat bread and pasta. Snack on apples, berries, nuts, seeds, popcorn or roasted pulses. Lots of variety is key, since there are lots of different fibres with different properties.
Drink more water
Water helps to remove toxins from the body by helping the kidneys and liver to excrete waste.
The kidneys, for instance, use water to flush out toxins such as sodium and urea. Dehydration can cause waste to build up. Over time, even mild dehydration can increase the risk of kidney damage and make their waste clearance less effective. Drinking enough water can also help protect your kidneys in the long run – one review of 18 randomised controlled trials found that drinking more water could help reduce the risk of kidney stones, among other benefits.
So how much water is enough to help your body perform these essential functions? The widespread advice of eight glasses of water (around two litres) is outdated, stemming from advice in 1945 which included food as a source of water. Instead, around 1.5 to 1.8 litres per day (six to seven-and-a-half glasses) is enough for most people.