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List of Foods That Cleanse the Colon

Good colon health is essential for maintaining a healthy body. Your colon can be responsible for many of your body's ailments, if not properly cared for. On store shelves, there are countless products geared toward colon cleansing, but they can be quite costly and contain additives. Eat foods that are high in fiber on a daily basis to aid in the cleansing process.

  1. Whole Grains

    • A diet high in whole grain naturally cleanses your colon. Breads and cereals that have whole grains are the logical place to start, but you can also get whole grain from oatmeal and brown rice. Look for wheat, oats, flax, bran and rye to get a daily dose of soluble fiber.

    Fruits and Veggies

    • Dark-green vegetables are high in chlorophyll and have a high fiber content. A few to include in your diet are broccoli, spinach, celery, romaine lettuce, and Brussels sprouts. Other high-fiber veggies include carrots, beets, corn and squash.

      Similarly, many fruits are also great sources of fiber. Some of the best fruits for fiber are apples, kiwis, avocados, pears, peaches, mangos, papaya and oranges. Most berries, such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, contain fiber, as do dried fruits. Dates, raisins, figs, prunes and apricots are all great sources of fiber.

    Nuts, Seeds and Beans

    • Although high in fat, nuts and seeds are a good source of fiber. Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts and flax seeds are all good choices, as are peanuts, macadamia nuts and hazelnuts. Legumes are also a great source of fiber. Some high-fiber varieties are kidney beans, black-eyed peas, split peas, lima beans and navy beans.

    Lots of Water

    • Dehydration, or insufficient water consumption, can lead to toxicity in your bowels, as well as constipation in your body. You may hear varying theories about how much you're supposed to consume, but a good rule of thumb is to take your total body weight, divide it in half and drink that many ounces of water per day. For example, if you weighed 170 pounds, you would drink 85 ounces of water per day. This amount doesn't have to be water alone. It can be mixed with herbal tea or diluted juice. Steer clear of caffeinated beverages, due to the dehydrating nature of caffeine.

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