15 Foods That Maintain Liver Health
The liver is one of the most important
organs in the body, and it plays many vital roles in maintaining our
normal functioning and overall health. It is very important to take care
of your liver, because by virtue of its function, this organ is exposed
to a number of toxins and very harmful substances, and you can easily
do this with 15 foods that you probably already have in your
refrigerator!
The many functions of the liver
The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body and has
many different functions, most of which are related to maintaining the
health of the digestive system and our immune system. Among the liver’s
functions are:
Storage of excess vitamins and minerals for later use.
Production of bile fluid essential for digestion.
Cleaning out toxins and chemicals that penetrated the body through
the respiratory, digestive and skin systems.
Energy conservation by storing sugar in the form of carbohydrates,
glucose, and fat.
Along with the kidneys, the liver filters the blood that reaches the
various body systems.
Production of proteins essential for growth.
Production of clotting materials that stop bleeding in case of
injury.
Protection of the immune system from harmful bacteria and
pollutants.
How to identify liver damage
Due to part of the activity of cleaning toxins from the body,
accumulation of toxins in the liver area can cause a decrease in
functioning. Impairment affects many areas, and can be identified by the
following signs:
Yellow skin
Dry mouth
Dark urine
Extreme weight changes
Loss of appetite
Breast growth (in men)
Arthritis Pain
Diarrhea
Sensitivity in the liver area
Foods for cleansing the liver
It is very important to protect the liver to allow it to function best.
The following foods are excellent natural solutions for treating liver
problems, as they contain natural components that help clean it.
1. Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of glutathione, a substance made up of 3
different amino acids which acts as a powerful antioxidant, especially
effective in detoxifying the liver. In addition, carrots also contain a
large amount of beta-carotene, the substance that goes through a process
in the body which turns it into vitamin A.
2. Tomatoes
Like carrots, tomatoes also contain large amounts of amino acids needed
to build the antioxidant glutathione, which cleans the liver of all the
various toxins that have accumulated in it. In addition, tomatoes
contain a significant amount of lycopene, which has proven to be
essential in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, as well as in
the fight against cancer.
3. Red grapefruit
Red grapefruit is very similar to the yellow grapefruit in terms of
nutritional value, but red grapefruit is healthier because it contains
more vitamin C. Grapefruit is essential for detoxifying the liver
because it contains no less than 18 different amino acids essential to
the human body.
4. Spinach
Spinach is a very healthy and beneficial food for the body which
provides us with many vitamins and minerals and is especially known for
its large iron content. Spinach helps cleanse the liver through its
ability to stimulate the action of enzymes that break down toxins. It is
recommended to eat fresh spinach leaves to make the most of its
benefits.
5. Cabbage
Eating fresh cabbage stimulates a chain of actions that cause, among
other things, the production of enzymes that break down the accumulated
toxins in the liver and help clean it. In addition to its ability to
clean the liver, cabbage also contains compounds that act as
anti-inflammatories, and help us recover from various diseases quickly.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most recommended spices for maintaining liver
health because of its ability to produce enzymes that remove the
carcinogenic components that accumulate in the liver and other bodily
systems.
7. Walnuts
Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, and the amino
acids arginine and glutathione, which cleanse the liver of any
accumulated toxins. Walnuts have been shown in some studies to be
especially effective in maintaining a sharp and healthy brain in
advanced ages.
8. Avocado
The avocado has already been recognized as one of the healthiest foods,
thanks to its high concentration of essential and beneficial nutrients.
Among these substances is an enzyme that causes the liver to produce
glutathione, thus maintaining its cleanliness and proper functioning.
9. Apples
Apples also contribute to liver health, though indirectly. Apples
contain pectin and many dietary fibers, two components responsible for
cleaning waste from the intestines, making it easier for the liver to
work, allowing it to take better care of the rest of the body, and
itself.
10. Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are particularly rich in sulfur, which activates the
enzymes in the liver responsible for cleaning and invigorating this
important organ. Enzymes activated by Brussels sprouts are particularly
effective in cleaning toxins due to environmental pollution.
11. Garlic
Like Brussels sprouts, garlic also contains large amounts of sulfur,
which help clean the liver. In addition to sulfur, garlic also contains
the minerals allicin and selenium, which are also used to remove toxin
accumulations from the liver.
12. Broccoli
Broccoli is particularly rich in chlorophyll, the chemical that gives
plants their green color. In the human body, chlorophyll can be used to
absorb environmental toxins and neutralize the activity of other various
toxins.
13. Cauliflower
Eating cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous vegetables, will result
in increased production of glucosinolate, which helps us remove all the
toxins and carcinogens from our system.
14. Asparagus
Tasty asparagus is considered to be a diuretic, meaning that it makes us
produce more urine, and therefore, helps us wash out a large amount of
the toxins that weigh heavily on the kidneys and liver.
15. Quinoa
Consumption of gluten-rich grains, such as regular flour, for example,
causes accumulation of toxins in the liver. To avoid this negative
effect, try replacing these grains with alternative healthy grains such
as quinoa, buckwheat or tapioca.