Health & Wellness Coach-CEO Diet Clinic, RAJIV Sehrawat lists foods that will help keep your liver healthy
The main job of the liver is to filter blood from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body. It detoxifies harmful chemicals and metabolised drugs and while doing so secretes bile. It makes proteins that help blood clotting and other functions. It also stores sugar called glucose, which gives quick energy. There are many ways to support your liver through diet and healthy lifestyle.
Oatmeal: It has a lot of soluble fibers that help the liver the most by decreasing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, maintain healthy weight loss and delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes, and reduce the risk of liver fatty disease. Research shows that it helps in removing belly fats which is very good.
Citrus fruits: These fruits are grapes, oranges, limes and lemons etc. which are loaded with both high vitamin C and antioxidants. These fruits have the natural abilities to clean the liver. They boost the detoxification enzymes that remove carcinogens and other toxins.
Garlic: It is the best source to activate liver enzymes as it holds the two natural compounds known as allicin and selenium that help your body to remove toxins.
Broccoli: It has dietary fibers, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, B1, B6 and E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, potassium, copper, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin and selenium. Study found that it helps in protecting liver from cancer growth.
Coffee: Research suggests that regular moderate drinking of coffee can lower the risk of a range of liver diseases including cancer, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Studies say that the chances of liver cirrhosis can be reduced by 44%.
Turmeric: It is the best spice for liver’s good health. It boosts liver detoxification by assisting enzymes that remove the toxins from the liver. In fact, it also helps the health of gallbladder.
Apples: Your liver loves apples. Studies say that drinking lots of apple juice cleans your liver as the malic acid in apple juice is said to soften gallstones to enable them to be flushed from your liver and body.
Nuts: Nuts are your best friend. As it can help in healing process of your liver. Nuts are in naturally covered in a hard shell and grow in larger trees with deep roots in soil so they are well protected from pesticides and environmental pollution so they are the best for liver. It is also good that nuts are rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which support normal liver cleansing.
Olive oil: This oil is very healthy and it is the rich source of Omega – 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin E and k and Monounsaturated Fats. Your body is capable of removing toxins without the help of detox diets. The lemon and olive oil can cleanse your body and help your liver in performing well.
Salt: it is needed not for taste but for detoxification of liver. Drinking Epsom salt with fruit juice and olive oil helps in cleaning your system. But it’s intake must be in moderation — about 6 gm a day.
Green leafy vegetables: Can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. They are full of chlorophyll and have the ability to neutralise heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides. These cleansing foods offer a protective mechanism for the liver.