Spring is the best. Fresh produce is showing up and before we know it we can get delicious food straight out of the garden or fresh from a farmers’ market.

Spring is also the time to think seriously about doing a body detoxing—it’s so needed after a long winter of lots of heavy and cooked food that most of us rely on in colder climates. And thanks to the aforementioned fresh food becoming more available, a detox is possible and easier now.

Food is really the best medicine for cleansing the body of harmful toxin buildup that is so common during the winter. And the best news is, lots of our favorite foods cleanse the liver, kidneys, skin, and intestines. All we need to do is add more of these nutritious and delicious springtime foods to our diet to help clear out harmful effects of bad food choices, pollution, food additives, pesticides, and second-hand smoke, among other toxins.

So if you’d like to take some detoxifying steps, here are some of the best foods for this purpose. The Care2 website is my source of information, and they got it from the book Weekend Wonder Detox (Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, ROHP, 2014). But it’s my personal experience that backs my sharing this with you!

Artichokes—high in vitamin C and fiber, they help to increase bile production, which helps the intestines eliminate toxins. Artichokes also contain a substance that helps the liver break down fatty acids. This is good news because the average diet and lifestyle creates tremendous strain on the liver’s ability to filter out toxins. I like to lightly sauté artichoke hearts with chopped fresh greens (spinach, kale, and collards), garlic, sliced asparagus, and chopped onion. I drizzle a smidge of extra virgin olive oil over it all. This is so delicious and hearty it almost makes a complete meal!

Asparagus—coated in extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and lightly grilled on the barbecue is our favorite. (BTW: Pinning asparagus spears together with skewers makes them easier to flip and grill evenly on both sides.) This flowering perennial is an excellent source of vitamin K and folate. It also contains vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6, niacin, manganese, potassium, magnesium and selenium. Who knew this amazing vegetable was so good for so many things besides creating a delicious side dish for our barbecue?

Garlic—the potent healing properties of fresh garlic way supersede the breath issues.   As a relative of onions, it shares many of the same health benefits.  It destroys harmful bacteria, intestinal parasites, and viruses in the body, helps cleanse buildup from the arteries and lowers blood pressure. Garlic is well known for its anti-cancer and antioxidant properties and also helps cleanse the respiratory tract by expelling mucous buildup in the lungs and sinuses. (BTW: Store-bought garlic powder offers none of the benefits found in fresh, easy-to-grow garlic.)

Onions—one of the most versatile vegetables around. Research shows powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer capabilities. Onions also thin and cleanse the blood and lower LDL cholesterol without lessening HDL cholesterol. Rich in biotin (which aids sugar and fat metabolism) and phytonutrients such as polyphenols, onions detoxify the respiratory tract and fight asthma, bronchitis, hay fever, and diabetes. Onions, like garlic, help cleanse the body of viruses and the intestines of harmful bacteria.

Watercress—one of the healthiest salad greens there is, this aquatic plant increases detoxification enzymes in the body and contains phytonutrients that have successfully inhibited carcinogens. Watercress has a mild, peppery flavor that enhances salads, soups and sandwiches.

Strawberries—organic, that is. And if you’re not a fan of vegetables, this late spring fruit is the way to load up on nutrients and enzymes. Eating eight strawberries (who stops at eight?) will give you more vitamin C than an orange. Like most delicious berries, they are among the highest foods measured for antioxidant capacity. Fresh or frozen, on a salad or in a smoothie, strawberries offer a delicious treat and protect you from heart disease, arthritis, memory loss, cancer and a host of other health problems.  Detox never tasted so good!