Detox is a big buzzword these days. From several week-long liquid fasts to colon cleanses, people all over the world are jumping aboard the detox wagon to reap the benefits of a clean, smooth-functioning inner system.

And who wouldn’t be interested? The benefits are hard to say no to: clearer skin, improved mood and energy, and weight loss.

But most importantly, a good detox gives your liver the TLC it needs to help you shed that stubborn belly fat.

In case you’re wondering what the liver has to do with your belly fat, read on since your liver may play a more important role than you ever suspected.

Liver vs Belly Fat

If you currently have some very stubborn abdominal fat that doesn’t seem to want to come off no matter how much exercise or weight training you do – the chances are a gentle liver detox could help you more than your spinning classes.

You see, your liver does a lot for your body. You may already know that the liver acts as a filter to remove toxins and nutrient byproducts like ammonia from your blood. But did you know that it also aids digestion by producing bile to help break down fat?

And that’s not all. Your liver also plays an important role in regulating glucose, blood pressure, blood sugar, insulin, estrogen, testosterone, and blood cholesterol production and removal. On top of all that, it’s responsible for helping to break down fat- and water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

Yes, your liver works hard for you. And when it’s overworked, toxic residues can build up, which causes the inflammation that’s linked to obesity. Results? A stressed-out, over-burdened liver can cause fat to build up, especially in the belly region.

If this is the case, calorie restriction and exercise isn’t going to do you as much good as simply detoxing the liver. And you don’t have to embark on a month-long liquid fast to do it.

Here are some simple detox tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to gently cleanse your liver and get rid of that stubborn belly fat!

Leafy Greens are Your New BFF

You already know iceberg lettuce – it’s America’s favorite leafy green. But have you met its entire family? You should – they’re going to be your new best friends in helping you combat belly fat.

The first and easiest daily detox tip is to incorporate plenty of dark, leafy greens into your daily diet.

This does not have to mean boiled cabbage soup or foul tasting drinks. Boiling down dark, leafy greens not only makes them taste unappetizing, it also makes them nutritionally devoid.

To avoid this you should try using raw leaves in salads. Spinach tastes great, as does Swiss chard. These two leaves also make a lovely crunch as you eat them.

If you really can’t stand the taste of greens, try incorporating raw or steamed leaves into your favorite fruit smoothie. You won’t be able to taste them, but you’ll still be receiving all the stomach flattening benefits that they provide.

Good Ole’ Lemon Water

Sip on warm lemon water every morning, before breakfast. Lemons are renowned for their ability to improve digestion and bowel movements. This in turn helps flatten your stomach by helping your body eliminate waste products sooner leaving you less bloated.

Another benefit of sipping warm lemon water is that is activates your digestive system prior to eating, thus allowing you to get your breakfast nutrients faster and keeping the waste moving. It also acts to fill your stomach up a bit, so that you eat less and cut down your calorie consumption.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

I know. You’ve heard it all before. Why all the repetition? Simple. Because it’s important. Keeping your body hydrated is one of the single most important things you can do to keep toxins moving out of your system. If you just cannot keep track of how much water you drink in a day try following this simple tip. Pee pale.

If your urine is a pale yellow you’ve got it just right. If it’s too dark, you’re not getting enough water, and if it’s completely clear, you’re drinking too much.

Drinking too much water can be just as bad as drinking too little. By over hydrating, you run the risk of diluting the essential salt and mineral levels in your body.

Have a Lovely Soak

This is the easiest detox tip ever and quite possibly the most pleasant. After all – who doesn’t enjoy a lovely soak with bath salts?

Just make sure those bath salts are Epsom salts and add them in your bath. You don’t have to replace your favorite bubble bath, just add to it.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to add, but this will generally be about a cupful. The combination of the warm water and the Epsom salts will draw toxins directly out of your body through your gently opened pores.

Exfoliating gently as you bathe will increase the effect and also slough away dead skin cells. Detox and exfoliation. Win Win.

…After Breaking a Sweat

Breaking a sweat daily is another important way of flattening your tummy. If you choose to do this via exercise, you’ll have the added benefit of burning calories and losing weight.

But you don’t have to exercise to break a sweat. If you have a home sauna or one at the gym, make sure you use it.

If not, close all the doors and windows in your bathroom and run your shower on the hottest setting until the room is full of steam. Sit in there for a while. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you begin to sweat. Why is sweating important?

Simple. It removes your tummy-swelling toxins from your body.