One of the leading causes of death, anywhere in the world, is liver disease. This has been more and more prevalent in recent times. The cause for such an increase could be attributed to many things like overeating, unhealthy food consumptions, stress, or even external environmental pollutants.
The effects of the liver not functioning properly can be dire. The liver’s function is to process and dispose of the excess fat and toxins in a person’s body, and when it is down for the count, everything else will also end up suffering.
There are many things that you can do to make sure your liver is healthy, one of which is eating foods that will help cleanse it and keep it up and running in tip-top shape. Here’s a list of 10 foods that will help you do that.
Garlic
Love it or hate it… actually, you better learn to love it if you want your liver to be healthy! Garlic is chock-full of substances that are good for your liver. Selenium helps detoxify your body, and arginine is an amino acid that relaxes your blood pressure and vessels. It also contains vitamins C and B6, the latter acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and the former protecting your cells from oxidizing.
Olive oil
Try to use extra virgin olive oil whenever possible, substituting it for other oils. Not only is at a healthier option, it even does part of the liver’s job itself by providing the base for detoxification of the body.
Herbs and vegetables
Herbs and leafy greens provide a lot of good health benefits, including protecting the liver. They neutralize metals, chemicals, and pesticides that may be present in the food that you eat and from the environment in general, which would have damaged the liver otherwise.
Arugula, spinach, and chicory have been found to help the body get of rid waste by enhancing bile flow. Broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts enhance the production of enzymes that hep the liver in its detoxification process. And beetroots are a natural cleanser of the blood.
Green tea
Green tea is a good source of antioxidants, namely a type called catechins which belong to the flavonoid organic group. Scientists have found these catechins to be the main component that makes drinking green tea a good way your body can fight against certain types of cancer.
Grapefruit
Grapefruits are full of vitamin c and glutathione, the latter of which is produced by the liver to aid in the rehabilitation of tissues, in the production of chemicals and proteins, and keeping the immune system healthy. A single grapefruit contains more than 70 mg of glutathione, which will immensely help the liver in its detoxifying duties.
Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in antioxidants and are a good source of healthy fats. These fats are necessary in the formation of healthy cells around the liver and in keeping unhealthy fats from accumulating in the liver. And like garlic, it contains arginine, and glutathione, which are also highly beneficial to the body.
Apples
Apples also help the liver out by taking on part of its main job. They contain high levels of pectin, which is a main player in helping the body remove toxins, especially in the digestive tract.
Turmeric
Turmeric is not just something that can help bring your food extra color and spice, but also help your liver stay healthy. The main substance in turmeric is called curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It also helps revitalize hepatic cells, and helps your body process alcohol and toxins the right way.
Lemon and lime
A squeeze of lemon or lime the next time you’re preparing a meal can provide your body with a much-needed source of vitamin C. Vitamin C, present in abundance in limes and lemons, helps the toxins in our bodies turn into water-soluble compounds, thereby easily flushing them out.
Avocado
Avocados offer you a whole host of health benefits. Among these benefits is glutathione and vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants that help neutralize and protect hepatic cells from harm. They also contain vitamins E and K, which provide anti-inflammatory elements. Avocados also contain healthy fats, which can help regulate cholesterol levels.
