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Foods That are Good for the Liver

Kanika Khara
Liver is the second largest organ in the body which filters blood from the digestive tract, cleaning the poisonous toxins from it. The food we eat has an important role in the health and function of the liver.
The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body, that lies below the diaphragm in the thoracic region of the abdomen. It is responsible for converting the food we consume into energy.
Therefore, an unhealthy intake of food can lead to headaches, anxiety, depression, confusion, fatigue, jaundice, food allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, and fatal diseases like cancer, cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver failure, cholesterol, etc.
The liver plays an important role in metabolism, and various other bodily functions like sugar storage, decomposition of red blood cells, protein synthesis, and detoxification. Besides these, the liver also secretes an alkaline compound called bile, which is a digestive juice that helps in the easy digestion of fats.
It would be impossible to digest food or absorb nutrients from food without the liver. Therefore, we can conclude that the liver performs and regulates a wide range of biochemical reactions in the body, which are essential for normal body functioning and well-being.
The best way of cleansing the liver naturally is by following a healthy diet. This will boost the health of the liver, allowing it to function properly. Here's more...

Cleansing and Detoxification

In the process of improving the health of the liver, it is very important to clean and detox it. This will empower the functioning of the liver. Antioxidants, flavonoids, minerals, vitamins, vital nutrients, amino acids, etc., are a very important part of a good diet for detoxification and cleansing.
They include fruits and vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, green beans, eggplant, yam, ginger, kidney beans, navy beans, kale, arugula, wheat grass, sprouts, peas, carrots, green beans, pinto beans, garlic, beets, spirulina.
Grapefruit, cranberries, apricots, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, acai berries, pomegranate, bananas, grapes, lemons, pears, apples, kiwi, papayas, avocado, peaches, etc. also help in cleansing and detoxification.
Other foods like caraway oil, cedar nuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, olives, oats, chickpeas, brown rice, oregano, green tea, mug beans, hemp, yogurt, sesame seeds, etc.
Herbs like milk thistle, camomile, neem, lycopodium, artichoke, licorice root, dandelion root, yellow dock, turmeric, fringe tree, chicory, cascara sagrada, etc., are excellent sources for detoxification.

Food that Improves Liver Health

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is the extract from a seed, that promotes liver health. Oxidation tends to damage the liver cells. Milk thistle fights oxidation. It also promotes the growth of new cells. It is also very high in antioxidants as compared to vitamins E and C.

Nuts

Almonds are loaded with nutrients like fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, and calcium, which are good for the liver. Apart from these, almonds contain unsaturated fats, which help in lowering cholesterol levels and therefore are good for heart.
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, protein, copper, vitamin E, fiber, niacin and magnesium. Walnuts helps in detoxifying ammonia with the amino acid arginine, omega 3 fatty acids, and glutathione present in it.
Pecans boost the gamma-tocopherol levels and lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body. Therefore, consumption of pecans is an excellent way of fighting fatty liver. Pecans are a good source of vitamin A, E (gamma-tocopherol) and B, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, folic acid, phosphorous, etc.

Organic Food

Organic food contains more antioxidants, and are high in zinc and iron as compared to normal food. Also, organic milk contains up to 90% antioxidants. Antioxidants are good for detoxification of the liver. Hence, organic food is healthy for the liver.

Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant that protects the liver cells from damage. It also fights cancer, improves the elasticity of tissues, and boosts immunity. Hence, selenium is very healthy for the liver.
Tuna, turkey, shrimp, salmon, button mushrooms, halibut, Brazil nuts, cod, mustard seeds, etc., are high in selenium. Nuts especially, are very high in selenium. Every nut contains about 80 mg selenium.

Beets

Being rich in beta-carotene, flavonoids and other healthy carotenoid compounds, beets are good for liver health. They help in curbing the damage caused by the free radicals in the body, which further serves the liver to maintain its normal function.

Berries

Blueberries, and other berries like cranberries, boysenberries, strawberries, currants, blackberries, and cherries are high in phytonutrients, which not only promote liver health but also prevent urinary tract infections.
Being rich in vitamins and fiber, blueberries also improve memory, and reduce the chances of having heart problems and cancer.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, etc., are high in fiber. They also act as strong antioxidants, which help the liver to secrete enzymes required for detoxification and easy digestion of food.

Garlic

Garlic is another food that improves liver health. It contains allicin, a sulfur-based compound which helps the liver in its detoxification process.
It basically helps the liver to wash away heavy metals like mercury, lead, estrogen (excess of female hormones), and even nitrogen from the body, which can eventually increase the chances of liver cancer.

Oats

Oats and oatmeal, being high in fiber, if consumed on a regular basis, not only boosts liver health, but also lowers cholesterol levels. Oats ultimately reduce the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Fish

Salmon, mackerel, tuna, marlin, swordfish, sardines, herring, and trout are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body, thus minimizing the possibilities of suffering from heart diseases and strokes.

Soy

Soybean and soy products are excellent in maintaining liver health. They are high in proteins as well as fiber.
On the other hand, they are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Therefore, they help in maintaining normal morphology of the liver cells, and reduce the risks of heart diseases, strokes, cancers, and even osteoporosis.

Have This Drink

Intake of the mentioned food items is necessary for a healthy live. However, consumption of certain other items should be avoided in order to keep the liver healthy. They include alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, cheese, food that is high in saturated fat, canned and processed food, etc. For a healthy liver, here is a simple drink you can include in your diet.
Ingredients:
Olive Oil - (quarter cup)
Ginger - (finely chopped, ½ tablespoon)
Garlic - (finely chopped, ½ tablespoon)
Orange Juice - (quarter cup, fresh juice)

Preparation:
Blend the ingredients in a mixer to make the juice. Strain well and refrigerate for an hour or so. Drink the juice for three consecutive nights before going to bed.
Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for professional medical advice.