The liver is one of the most important organs. It performs many vital functions every day to keep you alive and kicking. And any damage to it can affect your health significantly.
 |
| Images on iStock |
#1 Green Tea
Green tea has been used as a medicinal aid for years. According to a study, drinking green tea every day is associated with improved blood markers for liver health. It is also high in antioxidants which protect your body against free radicals that can cause degenerative diseases. It also keeps your body in balance and helps protect against certain types of cancers. What do you prefer to drink, green tea or regular tea? Tell us quickly down below in the comment section!
#2 Garlic
Garlic is rich in sulfur and also contains a good amount of selenium. While the former helps activate the liver enzymes that help flush out toxins from the body, the latter helps boost the natural antioxidant enzyme levels in the liver. Eating garlic also helps the liver fight against damage caused by oxidative stress.
#3 Grapefruit
Grapefruit is rich in Vitamin C and Antioxidants, two powerful liver cleansers. Like garlic, grapefruit contains compounds that boost the production of liver detoxification enzymes. It also contains a compound that causes the liver to burn fat rather than store it.
#4 Lemons
Lemons love your liver and your liver loves them right back. They are natural cleansing food and essentially one of the best to "Get Things Going" in all areas of the body. Lemons provide a wealth of antioxidants, primarily Vitamin C and they help your liver produce more enzymes. This gives you more energy and helps with digestion. They are also a natural replacement for salt. This is because they're high in electrolytes and support your body but don't dehydrate your cells like sodium does. In fact, they're often recommended as a salt replacement for individuals on a liver disease diet. Lemons are also alkalizing to the body, despite being acidic on their own. Once they enter the body, they help neutralize toxins, excrete wastes, and jump-start the entire digestive process.
#5 Beetroot
here's what the violet on your rainbow plate of veggies can do for your liver. Beetroot contains antioxidants, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and Vitamin C which protect the liver against oxidative stress from cancer-causing agents. If you have beetroot regularly, your liver will be protected from toxic compounds. Beet juice made from one large beetroot is safe for daily consumption. Drink the juice 2-3 days a week. Have I caught your interest? Well, hit that "Subscribe" button and read more posts. Join our millions of followers for more amazing Healthy Mind - Think Big content!
#6 Nuts
The healthy fat and nutrients including Vitamin E content in nuts make them good for the liver. One study found that regular consumption of nuts improved the levels of enzymes in the liver. Additionally, it was found that men who ate fewer nuts were at a higher risk of developing the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as opposed to those who ate more. A handful of nuts up to 1 oz, every day is recommended for good health.
#7 Olive Oil
Switch your bottle of vegetable oil with olive oil for healthy liver functioning. One study found that consuming olive oil every day improved liver enzymes and fat levels. participants also noted a decrease in liver fat as well as better blood flow to the liver. Olive oil can also improve blood levels of liver enzymes. It is recommended that you have one teaspoon or seven milliliters of olive oil every day.
#8 Turmeric
No cleanse list would be complete without the anti-inflammatory and natural healing spice turmeric. It has been used to treat liver problems for centuries. The curcumin in turmeric prevents fat accumulation in the liver. It also raises the natural antioxidants involved in the detoxification of the liver. Include about 3 grams of powdered turmeric root in your diet every day. However, if you suffer from inflammatory bowel syndrome, reduce the dosage. Additionally, in order to increase the absorbability of curcumin, combine it with black pepper.
#9 Broccoli
Shaped like mini trees, broccoli gives life to your body. Its bright green hues indicate the high level of antioxidants and chlorophyll found in it. Broccoli is high in fiber that naturally cleanses the body from carcinogens and other toxins. Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other members of the cruciferous veggie family also contain a compound which helps the liver produce certain enzymes. These help in the removal of toxins and aid in digestion. Broccoli is also a good source of fat-soluble Vitamin E, an especially important antioxidant for the liver.
#10 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes along with carrots and winter squash like butternut and pumpkin are rich in beta-carotene. This is a natural anti-inflammatory nutrient your body loves. Beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the body, directly in the liver. It's important to get your vitamin a through beta-carotene-rich foods in place of supplements. Supplements with too much Vitamin A can be toxic to the liver since it is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means more gets stored than excreted. Sweet potatoes and other foods that are rich in Vitamin A, however, do not cause liver toxicity cannot be stored for long-term use like supplements can. Sweet potatoes are also rich in fiber and Vitamin C, other cleansing and immunity-boosting nutrients that help your liver function at its best.
#11 Apples
Apples are rich in pectin, the soluble fiber that helps remove toxins and cholesterol from the blood, which helps your liver big time. they're also rich in malic acid, a naturally cleansing nutrient that removes carcinogens and other toxins from the blood. Granny smith apples are especially rich in malic acid, along with being one of the most antioxidant-rich apple varieties. All apples are great for your liver, however, but be sure to choose the organic apples since they're one of the worst sources of pesticides.
#12 Coffee
Although we have heard that too much coffee is bad for you, moderate amounts of this popular beverage can have real health benefits. This includes a reduced risk of liver disease. Multiple studies have shown that people who drink coffee are less likely to develop liver cirrhosis compared to non-coffee drinkers. Coffee may also boost liver health by regulating liver enzymes, a common marker of this organ's health.
#13 Fatty Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that cirrhosis-damaged livers have low levels of these fatty acids compared with healthy ones, and that increasing omega-3 may help with this disease long-term. Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and might help reduce fatty liver disease. That said if you eat seafood be sure to choose fish that's low in mercury to avoid further liver damage. If you don't like fish, taking fish oil for fatty liver offers some of the same benefits.
#14 Milk Thistle
A natural herbal remedy, the milk thistle can be enjoyed in an herbal tea that's great for your liver. Some fans of the ingredient also use it in smoothies and salads. Silymarin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound in seeds, can offer protection not just against toxins in your diet, but also from drugs like Tylenol that cause damage when taken in high doses. Research suggests that it may help rejuvenate and repair your liver by aiding the growth of new cells.
#15 Avocados
We rarely think of avocados as a cleansing food. But these nutritional powerhouses lower cholesterol and dilate blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxicity. Avocados contain a nutrient called Glutathione, which blocks at least 30 different carcinogens while helping the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals. Apart from the liver cleansing benefits avocados have a wide range of health benefits for your body.
#16 Berries
Cleanse your body naturally by giving it plenty of berries rich in Polyphenols and Anthocyanins. These nutrients are potent anti-inflammatory agents and powerful antioxidants. One study found that berries were especially effective in preventing fatty liver. Lingonberries, in particular, decreased body fat significantly in test subjects on a high-fat diet.
#17 Cabbage
Cabbage contains numerous anti-cancer and antioxidant compounds and helps the liver break down excess hormones. It also cleanses the digestive tract and neutralizes some of the damaging compounds found in cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke. It also strengthens the liver's ability to detoxify.
#18 Kale
Steam some kale to benefit from its powerful anti-cancer and antioxidant compounds that help cleanse the body of harmful substances. It is also high in fiber, which helps cleanse the intestinal tract. Like cabbage, kale helps neutralize compounds found in cigarette smoke and strengthens liver cleansing.
#19 Prickly Pear
Prickly pear is a type of edible cactus which was used in traditional medicine as a treatment for liver disease. One study found that the extract of this plant reduces symptoms of a hangover, including nausea, dry mouth, and lack of appetite. This benefit was magnified when they took the extract before drinking alcohol. Since alcohol is broken down by the liver, the researchers looked into the exact effect of the extract on the liver. They found that it reduced inflammation, which often occurs after drinking alcohol.
While these superfoods can get rid of liver toxins, it is very important to recognize the signs of liver damage at an early age so that you can tackle it.