One of the most difficult addictions to overcome is cigarettes. In fact, several studies estimate that as few as 4% of smokers who try to stop without the use of medicines or other aides succeed permanently. Even with the use of medication, only about 25% of smokers can quit for at least six months. These statistics paint a disparaging picture for anyone who has ever wanted to cut back on the dangerous habit.
Why Quitting is Hard
One of the main reasons that cigarettes are so hard to quit is the way nicotine is stored in the body. When nicotine is inhaled, it goes into the blood stream. Traces of nicotine can be found in your blood stream for up to three days after your last cigarette. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance; imagine trying to avoid eating your favorite food while the taste lingered in your mouth for three full days. It’s this lasting storage of nicotine in the system that makes cigarettes so difficult to quit.
With the low success rates for quitters, even with medications, many people may feel like they are set up for failure from the start. And that may be true if you’re hoping to rely on your willpower to overcome the temptation in your blood stream. One way that you can give yourself a major boost is to detox the nicotine from your system, so it’s easier to fight the cravings. Here are some foods that help flush the toxins from tobacco out of your system.
Detoxifying Foods
1-Green Tea: Green tea has long been regarding as one of the most detoxifying foods you can ingest. It helps flush the liver, which filters your blood and removes toxins. If your liver is clean, it can remove more of the nicotine from your blood faster.
2-Carrots: Carrots are full of vitamins A, C, B, and K, which help strengthen a sluggish immune system. This means that your body can start naturally fighting off the toxins that its become desensitized to.
3-Citrus Fruit: Oranges, lemons, and kiwi are all great additions to a detox diet when trying to quit smoking. Citrus is full of vitamin C, as well as vitamins A and E, all of which help strengthen the immune system and keep you hydrated. Healthy cells need these vitamins to ward off the effects of tobacco.
4-Green Vegetables: Mother was right; vegetables like broccoli and spinach truly are good for you. The folic acid and vitamins B5 and C in these foods are crucial for detoxing the liver and promoting a healthy immune system.
5-Water: While it may seem too simple to be true, it’s hard to overestimate the power of staying hydrated. One of the major problems with the toxins in tobacco is that it dehydrates cells. By flushing your system with plenty of fresh water, you are repairing the damage that has been done and promoting faster detox.
Add Exercise
By getting plenty of citrus fruits, green vegetables, carrots, and water, you’re well on your way to a cleansed system. Add a cup of green tea every day, and you could start feeling less cravings even faster. If there is any other lifestyle change that should be made to help you flush your system of nicotine even faster, it’s the addition of an exercise routine.
Exercise causes the body literally to sweat out toxins. You’ll also feel more energetic and clear-headed thanks to endorphins, which can help you improve your willpower to say no when the next cigarette craving sets in. By following a detox diet and adding exercise, smokers can greatly increase their chances of quitting for good.