Detoxifying and Cleansing Vegetable Soup

The so-called detoxifying vegetable soup is essentially a combination of fresh vegetables with high dietary fiber, low calories and high water content. It can indeed improve constipation and reduce gastrointestinal burden after holidays/big meals by promoting intestinal peristalsis. However, it does not have the magical effects of "removing toxins from the five internal organs" or "beautifying and anti-cancer" as advertised in the marketing, and it is not suitable for long-term single consumption.

During the National Day holiday a while ago, I cooked skewers and ate hot pot with my friends every day. On the last night, I felt that my stomach was so hard that even the loose jeans I usually wear were stuck in my crotch. I dug out the recipe given by my previous teammates on the fitness team and cooked a pot: half a head of broccoli, a stick of celery cut into small pieces, and half a stick. Cut the carrots with a hob, a few fresh mushrooms, a small handful of spinach, cut 3 slices of ginger and throw it in. Add water to cover the ingredients and cook for 8 minutes. Take the pot and sprinkle some chopped green onions and drop two drops of sesame oil. The soup was so fresh that I drank two big bowls without even eating rice. When I woke up the next morning, my bowel movements were very smooth, and my stomach was mostly soft. After drinking it for two days at noon, the bloating feeling I had before was completely gone.

I used to think this was some kind of magical "detoxification" recipe, but then I asked my cousin who is a gastroenterologist to find out, how could it be poisonous? The body's metabolic waste and unexcreted food residues will naturally be excreted through liver and kidney metabolism and intestinal peristalsis. The reason why drinking this is useful is because the insoluble dietary fiber in these vegetables is like a small brush, taking away the residue stuck on the intestinal wall. Sufficient water can also soften the stool, which is much gentler than taking laxatives. In essence, it helps the intestines and stomach do its original work.

Of course, there are many friends in the health circle around me who disagree with this statement. They insist that vegetable soup with winter melon, lotus leaves, and cassia seeds can "detoxify". They said that after drinking it for a week, they not only lost 5 pounds, but even the tightness on their faces disappeared. I didn't argue with her, but after asking carefully, I found out that she had stopped drinking milk tea at the same time and had given up her habit of staying up until 2 o'clock during that time. The reason why she kept quiet may be due to giving up sugar and getting enough sleep. As for the 5 pounds she lost, most of it was water and feces. During that time, she only drank vegetable soup without salt every day, and she didn't even eat eggs. It would be strange if she didn't lose weight. Later, she started to lose hair in the third week, and her aunt delayed the treatment for 10 days. She was so frightened that she quickly took supplements of eggs and milk for several days before she recovered.

In fact, it’s not that the health party’s claims are all wrong. If you broaden the definition of “detoxification” to “eliminating the feces that have been accumulated for several days and letting the uncomfortable bloated stomach take a breather,” then it is indeed useful, but don’t make it too exciting, and don’t use prescriptions indiscriminately. I have been in trouble before and tried the "seven-day bowel cleansing method" mentioned on the Internet. I only drank vegetable soup without salt every day. When I was catching the subway on the afternoon of the third day, my vision went dark and I almost fell down. Later I found out that if I only drank this for a long time, I could not keep up with essential nutrients such as protein, fat, and sodium. Not only did I lose muscle, but I also suffered from electrolyte imbalance. It was really not worth the gain.

Now I only drink this 1-2 days after a big meal. I choose to eat it as a staple food at noon. I eat high-quality proteins such as boiled eggs and steamed fish in the morning and evening as usual. It is not completely without salt. Sometimes I add a few small scallops or sprinkle a little bit of low-sodium salt. It is very fresh and not weak. The ingredients you choose can also be adjusted for people with different physiques. If your stomach is afraid of coldness and is prone to diarrhea, don't add too many cold vegetables such as winter melon and bitter chrysanthemum. Throw in a few slices of ginger and add two pieces of yam. It will be comfortable to drink warm. ； If you are usually prone to constipation, you can add a handful of corn silk and half a piece of pumpkin. It will have more dietary fiber, better laxative effect, and will not irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

To be honest, when the word "detoxification" is mentioned now, everyone thinks it is an IQ tax, but it is actually unnecessary. Just like you need to wipe your leather shoes when they are dirty, or need to maintain your car after driving it for a long time. If you eat heavy oil and salt for several days, your stomach is already overloaded. It is normal to drink light vegetable soup for two days to give it a breather. There is no need to give it the gimmick of "detoxifying and nourishing the skin" and cutting leeks, or to beat it to death and say it is all a lie. Whatever suits you and makes you feel comfortable drinking it is good.