The liver is the largest organ and responsible for many bodily functions. It is responsible for filtering toxins, purifying your blood, and absorbing nutrients from your food. For optimum overall health, one must look after their liver.
Overindulgence in alcohol and drug is one way you may damage your liver and interrupt its functions. Not only this, but eating large amounts of fried and processed foods adds up to liver damage. One can include foods that cleanse the liver naturally in their diet. This article will include liver detox foods to avoid and liver cleansing foods to munch on. These yummy options can be your ally for keeping your liver healthy.
1. Garlic
Garlic is known as food seasoning around the world. In Asia, garlic is famous for various medicinal uses. Garlic contains the mineral called selenium, which detoxifies the liver. It also activates liver enzymes that boost your liver’s ability to expel harmful substances. Garlic also has sulfur compounds that energize liver enzymes.
2. Citrus Fruits
These zesty, tangy fruits that are easy to snack on create detoxifying enzymes that remove toxins. Citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit, and orange cleanse liver naturally. These fruits are blessed with lots of antioxidants and vitamin C that improve the production of enzymes that detoxify your liver.
3. Vegetables
Vegetables in the Brassicaceae family, like broccoli and cabbage, have an active compound called glucosinolate. This compound assists the liver in making detoxifying enzymes. Cruciferous veggies also have sulfur compounds that boost liver health. “The greener, the better!” as they say, which is also true for your liver. Green vegetables like spinach help stimulate bile flow and contain numerous cleaning compounds. Green leafy vegetables are chlorophyll-rich. Chlorophyll filters harmful chemicals in your bloodstream.
4. Turmeric
You probably recognize turmeric as the main flavoring in curry. This flavorful, yellow-orange spice is popular in Asian cuisine. Turmeric has antioxidants that regenerate the cells of the liver. It also helps your liver improve the production of bile. Turmeric assists the enzymes that expel toxins. Overall, turmeric is a powerful defense against liver damage.
5. Walnuts
Among the best liver cleansing foods are walnuts. High in an amino acid called arginine, walnuts help the liver by detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to natural liver cleansing. Walnuts are nutrient-dense and high in healthy fats. Nuts help with cardiovascular health and also minimize the risk of liver disease. Among the types of nuts, walnuts are found to be the best combat for fatty liver disease.
6. Beets
Beets are dark red root vegetables known for their high antioxidants, folic acid, and fiber content. Beets help the liver by cleaning the blood and breaking up wastes to be eliminated rapidly. Beets also prompt the flow of bile and energize the enzyme’s activity. Beets contain natural digestive system cleansers in the presence of fiber and vitamin C.
7. Green Tea
Green tea comes from Camellia sinensis leaves. This beverage was made famous in China and since then spread across the globe. Green tea is famous because of its various medicinal properties. One of those is green tea’s ability to improve liver function through its antioxidants called catechins. Catechins reduce inflammations and liver fat build-up. It also enhances enzyme levels and minimizes the risk of liver cancer.
8. Avocado
Nobody can deny that avocado is a superfood. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is suitable for digestion. Avocadoes assist the body in producing glutathione, which helps the liver clear out toxins. Avocadoes also contain monounsaturated fat, also known as “good fat,” that shields your liver from damage.
9. Apple
Apples are rich in pectin. Pectin is a type of starch that clears out carcinogens and toxins. Pectin also assists the process of cleansing the liver. Apple contains polyphenols, a compound that maintains the fat levels of the liver. Organic apple juice is suggested for liver detoxification.
Inorganic liver cleansing juices are some of the liver detox foods to avoid as medical experts do not support these. Cleansing juices are often drunk as a part of a detox or flush program. These are not recommended as reports of harmful ingredients, and false claim about some products are on the rise.
