Foods That Help Detox The Liver

Foods That Help Detox The Liver

“Toxic chemicals slowly accumulate in the body organs, tissues and cells and then get transformed into free radicals”

Detoxification has become a major necessity in todays world and its importance cannot be taken lightly, because right from the food we eat, to the water we drink and even the air we breathe, everything is polluted with potentially hazardous chemicals and pollutants. These toxic chemicals slowly accumulate in the body organs, tissues and cells and then get transformed into free radicals over a period of time. These free radicals are the major cause of metabolic diseases, inflammatory conditions and even cancer.

The Importance Of Liver Health

The liver is the major detoxifying organ and the largest gland in the body. Thus, as the liver protects the body from all kinds of toxicity, one should try to protect the liver and not overload it with much work as it may slowly get saturated and fibrous and eventually scarred, thus leading to cirrhosis of the liver, which is a life-threatening condition. However, a simple diet and lifestyle change can prevent the sequence of events and will also help to protect the liver which in turn, will protect the body.

Functions Of The Liver

In a nutshell, the various functions of the liver are to store vitamins and iron, to detoxify the blood, the breakdown of insulin, the production of bile which helps in the breakdown of tat and the converting of the stored sugar to usable sugar, whenever the body starves. Here are some foods (amongst many) that help to detox your liver and to flush out all toxins.

Liver Cleansing Foods

Leafy Vegetables

Dark leafy vegetables are the most powerful tools to cleanse the liver. The chlorophyll in plants neutralizes heavy metals, chemical pesticides and other toxins, so they are easily washed out.

Beetroot

This bright red coloured root vegetable has not only a fantastic red colour like blood, but also cleanses and purifies the blood, making it slightly easier for the liver to work effectively. Also, a good amount of soluble fibre and antioxidants too, in this vegetable helps in flushing out toxins from the liver.

Garlic

This bulby, spicy root vegetable is another food that helps in liver cleansing. The two super compounds called selenium and allicin are responsible for garlic being an important cleansing agent. Selenium is a natural detoxifying mineral as well as acts as an antioxidant and allicin helps in boosting the immune system.

Fats

Don’t be shocked, because healthy fats are necessary for the proper function of the liver and even to metabolize cholesterol, the body needs fats. But it is important to distinguish between healthy fats and bad fats. A Few healthy fats which help to maintain a healthy liver are walnuts, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, coconuts, flaxseeds and avocados.

Raw Vegetables

The good amount of fibre, antioxidants and chlorophyll present in raw veggies flush out all the toxins from the liver. Raw vegetable juice with a mixture of two-three vegetables consumed freshly daily, keeps the liver healthy.

Walnuts

This dry fruit is special for the liver as the amino acid called arginine present in walnuts helps in the process of detoxifying ammonia, The omega – 3 fatty acids in walnuts also helps in the detoxification process.

Citrus Fruits

Vitamin C in citrus fruits acts as a super antioxidant and aids in removing all the toxins. It also helps in digestion by stimulating the secretion of liver enzymes.

Avocados

Avocados stimulate the secretion of a major detoxifying enzyme in the liver, called glutathione. This enzyme helps in filtering out the harmful toxins from the liver.

Turmeric

There is some ideal foods for each and every organ in the body. For example, carrots are good for the eyes and milk is good for the teeth and bones. Similarly, turmeric is the liver’s favourite spice, as it helps in activating the liver enzymes and these liver enzymes functions actively in removing all the dietary toxins and carcinogens. So, don’t forget to add a pinch of this spice to your daily food.

Apples

These fruits are rich in pectin, which is a soluble fibre that carries away all toxins with it. Pectin also helps in removing cholesterol. Malic acid, also present in apples, acts as a natural detoxifying agent for the liver.

Health Tip

Alcohol and foods that are processed, fatty, sugary or oily do harm to the liver as they make this organ work harder during the digestion process. Hence, in the long run, if these foods are eaten regularly, it may cause fatty liver disease. It would also be wise to opt for plant foods over animal foods for optimal liver health.

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