Your liver needs a periodical cleansing now and then. Especially after a holiday season, or a vacation where you had the pleasure of enjoying all the sweets, drinks, and fatty foods. If you feel little heavy and want to feel relaxed and detoxed, then try these seven foods every day for at least a month’s time. These foods will strengthen your liver, and enhances its cleansing processes, and shields it from damage.
Artichokes
Artichokes contain cyanarin, chlorogenic acid, and other compounds that are known to enhance the liver’s detox pathways, and protect it against the damages caused due to oxidative stress. Furthermore, artichokes are also rich in inulin, a chemical compound which helps to strengthen the immune system.
Coffee
Yes, coffee is rich in caffeine, which can be bad if you have certain health conditions. But studies have shown that coffee is very effective in reducing inflammation, and prevents fatty liver. There are also some studies that demonstrate coffee’s ability to protect your liver against cirrhosis and liver cancer. Health experts recommend drinking no more than two cups of black coffee a day. Make sure you are not adding too much sugar to your coffee which can totally destroy its purpose.
Broccoli sprouts
Broccoli sprouts are an excellent source of sulforaphane and other compounds that helps with detoxification and protect the liver from damage. A study which involved men suffering from fatty liver found that those who took broccoli sprout extract every day showed dramatic improvement in their liver condition. They improved the levels of the liver enzyme and successfully decreased oxidative stress on the liver.
Beet juice
Beet juice is a folk remedy to activate liver enzymes and increase the bile secretion and induce liver’s detox function. Modern research has shown that it is rich in betalains and other chemical compounds that effectively reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver and protect it.
Grapefruit
grapefruit is rich in antioxidants namely naringenin, and naringin that protects the liver by reducing oxidative stress. Studies have found that both naringenin and naringin helps to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis. Naringin improves the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol, and protect it from its damaging effects.
Green tea
Green tea is packed with catechins, antioxidants that increase liver enzymes and improve blood markers of liver health. It also effectively protects the liver from oxidative damage and prevents fat deposition in the organ.
There are few studies that have shown that consuming green tea regularly reduces the risk of liver cancer.
Blueberries
Blueberries like many other berries are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, and inflammation in the liver. Some studies have shown both blueberries and cranberries are very effective in reducing the risk of fibrosis.