Detox Soup

It’s time to face the music: heavy metals are everywhere.

Yes, even in foods we consider healthy, like leafy greens and cocoa.

But don’t panic just yet—nature has given us plenty of detoxifying foods to help balance the scales.

Yeah, it’s true. The soil cocoa grows in can harbor trace amounts of cadmium and lead, which means your chocolate bar could, too. 

Before you freak out and toss your chocolate stash in the trash, you just need some superhero foods to help flush them out of your system.

Enter: Detox Soup.

Your body is always detoxing, especially through the liver and kidneys. But modern living—pollutants, processed foods, and yes, heavy metals—can overburden these systems. Thankfully, certain foods help your body chelate and detoxify.

Think of them like tiny health ninjas, sneaking around and kicking out the toxic heavy metal party crashers.

And lucky for you, I’ve got a killer soup recipe packed with detox champs. 

And this soup is honestly one of the most delicious recipes I’ve ever made. I know it looks like green goop, but please give it a try and prepare to be dazzled.

What’s In Detox Soup And How Does It Detoxify?

Here’s what each ingredient does to save your body from the heavy metal mosh pit:

Broccoli

Broccoli is loaded with sulforaphane, it boosts liver detox enzymes and helps excrete heavy metals like cadmium. Sulforaphane has been shown to protect against oxidative stress caused by toxins and heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Studies also suggest that cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of toxin-induced cellular damage. Basically, it’s a bodyguard for your liver.

Zucchini 

Zucchini is high in water content and fiber, aiding the digestive system in flushing out toxins. While they may not be direct chelators of heavy metals, their role in promoting healthy digestion supports the overall detoxification process.

Peas

Peas are rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress caused by heavy metals, while fiber aids in the regular elimination of toxins from the gut.

Celery

Celery contains compounds that may increase urine production, aiding the kidneys in eliminating toxins. Its high-water content supports hydration, a key factor in helping the body flush out harmful substances like heavy metals.

Cilantro

Cilantro is the heavy-metal-chelating MVP here. Cilantro grabs onto metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium and kicks them out of your body.

Parsley

Parsley is another potent detoxifying herb, high in chlorophyll, which supports liver function and assists in heavy metal removal. Chlorophyll can bind with heavy metals and other toxins, helping to prevent them from being absorbed in the digestive tract.

Garlic

Garlic is a heavy-metal-banishing beast, it is one of the most potent natural detoxifying agents. Rich in sulfur, it helps your liver pump out detox enzymes like a well-oiled machine. It’s also been shown to chelate heavy metals and increase the excretion of cadmium and lead.

Leeks and Onions

Like garlic, these guys contain sulfur to help your body make glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that aids in detoxing metals.

Spinach

Spinach is high in chlorophyll and antioxidants, both of which support detoxification. Chlorophyll binds with heavy metals, helping to remove them from the bloodstream, while antioxidants combat oxidative stress caused by metal exposure.

Ginger 

Ginger supports digestion and may reduce inflammation associated with heavy metal toxicity. It also stimulates circulation, which can help the body transport toxins to the kidneys and liver for elimination.

Turmeric 

Thanks to curcumin, turmeric helps protect your body from oxidative damage and inflammation caused by metals like lead.

Miso Paste 

Fermented foods like miso provide probiotics, which support gut health. A healthy gut barrier prevents the reabsorption of toxins, including heavy metals, ensuring they are excreted through the digestive system.

Pumpkin Seeds and Hemp Seeds

Seeds like pumpkin and hemp are rich in zinc and magnesium, which have been shown to help reduce heavy metal accumulation, particularly in relation to cadmium and lead. Zinc, in particular, competes with heavy metals for absorption, helping to prevent their storage in tissues.

Coconut Milk and Avocado 

Both coconut milk and avocado are rich in healthy fats, which support liver function and the production of bile. Bile plays an important role in carrying toxins, including heavy metals, out of the liver for excretion through the digestive system.

Lemons

Lemons are high in vitamin C, which can help reduce the absorption of heavy metals and neutralize their toxic effects. Vitamin C has been shown to protect against cadmium toxicity and can assist in the excretion of lead.

Red Pepper Flakes

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which stimulates circulation, helping transport toxins to the liver and kidneys for excretion. It also boosts metabolism, enhancing detox processes. With powerful antioxidants like vitamin C, red pepper flakes reduce oxidative stress and inflammation caused by toxins and heavy metals.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

EVOO is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats that support liver health and bile production, crucial for eliminating toxins. Its anti-inflammatory properties also aid in reducing inflammation caused by heavy metals, supporting overall detoxification.

How do I make Detox Soup?

Sauté the Aromatics

Heat up avocado oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. When it shimmers, toss in the sliced onion, leek, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and red chili flakes. The smell of these together is heavenly! Let them sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and fragrant, turning golden. This step gives the soup its rich base flavor—don’t rush it!

Add the Veggies

Stir in chopped broccoli, zucchini, celery, and peas. At this stage, you’ll want to season them lightly with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and turmeric for that subtle, earthy warmth. Let them cook for a minute or two to soak up the flavors.

Simmer the Soup

Pour in vegetable stock, bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes. This is where the vegetables get tender and infuse the broth with their goodness. 

Blend It Smooth

Toss in the spinach, cilantro, parsley, and that luscious avocado for creaminess. Blend everything until it’s velvety smooth – an immersion blender is definitely my tool of choice here, but a high powered regular blender works as well (just be careful with that hot soup! Do it in batches).

Add Miso & Lemon Zest

Off the heat, stir in the miso paste, finish with a burst of lemon zest for brightness. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Taste it—it should be vibrant, creamy, a bit spicy, and deeply satisfying.

Serve & Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with toasted pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. These toppings add crunch and richness, making every spoonful more exciting.

Conclusion: Balance Your Diet, Keep the Cocoa 

Heavy metals in foods? They’re natural. But don’t panic—detoxifying foods like those in my delicious Detox Soup can help your body process and eliminate these metals.

Enjoy the soup, enjoy your cocoa, let your food do the detox work!

Detox Soup

This Detox Soup is one of my favorite recipes of all time - it is shockingly flavorful. This soup is full of ingredients that detox the body from heavy metals, it should definitely be in your weekly rotation. It is nutrient-packed, creamy, and delicious.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Servings 4

Calories 415 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/2 leek sliced (80g)
• 6 cloves garlic minced (20g)
• 1 piece of ginger minced (15g)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 medium head of broccoli chopped (300g)
• 2 zucchini chopped (400g)
• 3 sticks of celery sliced (150g)
• 2 cups peas fresh or frozen
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 cups fresh spinach 100g
• 1 cup cilantro
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1 avocado
• 2 tbsp white or yellow miso paste
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Sea salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• extra virgin olive oil for drizzling at the end

Instructions

 

• Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat avocado oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, leek, garlic, ginger, turmeric powder, and red chili flakes. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
• Add Vegetables: Add the chopped broccoli, zuchinni, celery, peas. Stir to coat the vegetables with the spices and aromatics.
• Add Stock and Simmer: Pour in the vegetable stock, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• Blend the Soup: Add the fresh spinach, cilantro, parsley, coconut milk, and avocado to the pot. Turn off the heat and use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a high-speed blender, blending until smooth and creamy.
• Add Miso and Lemon Zest: Stir in the miso paste until well combined, and add the lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning with sea salt and pepper if needed.
• Add Salt & Pepper: Taste the soup, add salt & pepper according to your taste. I highly recommend freshly grated pepper here.
• Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

If you eat bread, I highly recommend a slice of toasted sourdough drizzled with olive oil to accompany this soup. Seed crackers also make a lovely companion.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 33.7gProtein: 12.4gFat: 29.2g

Keyword soup

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