Black gram and Toxins
Fasting, juices, raw vegetables …you’ve probably heard of detox diets, and how great they can be for our bodies. But what exactly are they, and do they work? Let’s take a look at some common toxins that are present in our system, and how the human body is designed with built-in mechanisms to eliminate them. We’ll also discover how the ancient medicinal legume, black gram (Vigna mungo L.) can aid the body as it works through this process.
What are Toxins?
There are many substances in the body that can be classified as toxins. Toxins are substances created by plants, animals, or microorganisms that can cause harm to other organisms. “Toxin” is a broad category that covers many different types of substances, ranging from: excesses of normal dietary additives like salt, to alcohol, chemicals, metals, pathogens, or other poisonous elements in our environment that enter our bodies through one way or another.
Obviously, toxins that end up in our bodies — in large or even small amounts, depending on the toxin — can have negative and even dangerous effects on how our bodies function and, therefore, our overall health. High levels of accumulated toxins can cause chronic diseases and other dangerous health conditions. Given the dangers and prevalence of toxins in our environment and our food, we may all want to embrace lifestyle choices that give our bodies the greatest chance of reducing exposure to toxins and aid our bodies in removing and preventing the accumulation of toxins.
How Does the Body Remove Toxins
The body has built-in systems designed to filter out toxins, which, for the most part, do an excellent job at keeping toxins at bay. The kidneys and liver are constantly at work renewing the blood, and excreting out toxins of various kinds to be eliminated through the bladder and colon.
Another way that the body removes toxins is through the lymphatic system; a complex network of nodes and organs that circulates fluid all through the body. The spleen, thymus gland, tonsils and adenoids are all part of the lymph system, and they all work hard to filter toxins out of the blood and lymph fluid.
How Can Black Gram Help Remove Toxins?
Black gram is a lentil of many talents, and can do wonders for your overall health; but can it help you flush toxins out of your body?
The answer is yes! Black gram can help support your body’s natural toxic expulsion processes in a few ways, including by supporting the colon’s protective lining, promoting colon-cleansing, relieving stress on the kidneys and liver, and supporting the lymphatic system.
Enhancing the Colon’s Lining
The colon and intestines have a protective lining that is designed to block harmful substances from being absorbed into the body. Studies have shown that this mucus lining becomes diminished and less effective when individuals eat diets that are low in dietary fiber.
Consuming the recommended amounts of fiber reinforces this barrier. This is important because the colon and intestine’s lining causes pathogens and other bacteria to remain in the colon, where they can be safely eliminated without negatively affecting the body. Black gram is an excellent source of dietary fiber, providing 48% of the recommended daily intake per serving!
Cleansing the Colon
Dietary fiber also plays an important role in pushing waste through and out of the colon. The longer harmful substances lie dormant in the digestive tract, the more likely they are to be absorbed; but when sufficient fiber is consumed, things are moved along properly, as toxins bind to the fiber and are flushed out.
Relieving the Kidneys and Liver
Because of the role that dietary fiber (from sources such as black gram) plays in the intestines, the kidneys and liver are relieved of unnecessary burdens, and they can do their job more efficiently. When the kidneys and liver are continually forced to filter large amounts of toxins, waste builds up in the blood,
and these organs cannot function as well.
Lymphatic System Support
The human body contains hundreds of lymph nodes, and the whole lymphatic network is an important part of the body’s defense system, as it filters waste from bodily fluids, and helps to detect toxins and infections in the blood.
Black gram is a great food for supporting the lymphatic system due to its content of protein. This nutrient is necessary for cell repair and growth, and black gram has a good amount of high quality protein to keep the defensive lymphatic system in top shape! Another reason to consume black gram as a source of protein, is that it does not contain a lot of the fat that one consumes when getting protein from, for example, red meat, or another animal product. Studies have shown that a diet high in fat can lead to decreased lymphatic function.
Black gram also contains vitamin B6 and Zinc, both of which are important for supporting the lymphatic system. Studies have shown that deficiencies in vitamin B6 and zinc can significantly decrease the percentages of valuable lymphocytes, and limit the ability of the lymph function, compromising the immune system.
The Greatest Legume of All!
We are not surprised to learn that black gram’s benefits include supporting your body so that it can more effectively rid itself of toxins. Once you become acquainted with this special lentil, you’ll start to wonder what it can’t do! That’s why it has been valued throughout India as a medicinal food since ancient times, aiding the body in so many ways, it’s almost hard to acknowledge them all!
Feel free to check out some other benefits you can enjoy from bringing black gram into your lifestyle, and if you have any other questions, contact us today; we would love to talk about black gram and what it can do for the world!
Disclaimer: While we believe in black gram, and the power of black gram as a part of your healthy diet, neither black gram nor the statements made herein have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our black gram products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.