The liver works very hard to keep you healthy and supporting it with potent liver detox foods is the best way to keep it running optimally. This organ has critical role in detoxification as it is responsible for the conversion of nutrients from food into compounds that the body can utilize, as well as to remove toxic compounds and convert them into harmless substances.
How does your liver help you detox?
The blood from the digestive organs reaches the liver, carrying nutrients, toxic compounds, and medication. This is how it removes alcohol from the blood and eliminates byproducts. Introducing the following detox foods in your diet can go a long way in protecting the liver from damage. The liver is also needed for metabolizing fat, producing bile, and breakdown and absorption of fats.
Liver Detox Food #1: Garlic
While many people are not fond garlic and its strong smell, the truth is that it is extremely beneficial, particularly for the liver. It is packed with nutrients like selenium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and arginine.
Selenium increases the activity of antioxidants, which in turn helps the liver in the detoxification process. Vitamin B6 acts as anti-inflammatory agent in the liver, vitamin C protect against cellular oxidation, and arginine relaxes the blood vessels and thus improves blood pressure in the liver.
Liver Detox food #2: Turmeric
Did you know that turmeric is extremely beneficial for the liver? Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant which promotes liver detoxification and prevents alcohol and toxic matter from being converted into detrimental ingredients to the liver. In addition to this, it also increases bile flow, which in turn helps cleanse the liver.
Liver Detox Food #3: Matcha Green Tea
Green tea is known for its anti-cancer activity, and recent research has found that green tea helps promote liver health and proper detoxification. As reported by researchers at Arizona Cancer Center, compounds found in green tea increased production of a group of detoxification enzymes in those with low levels of these proteins. This particular study has shown that catechins in amounts to those found in 8-16 cups of green tea increased the production of the enzymes by staggering 80%.
Liver Detox Food #4: Avocados
Avocados are already known as superfoood, but it turns out that they have indeed much more to offer compared to other foods. They are packed with glutathione which is needed for liver detoxification as well as vitamins E and C, both of which act as potent antioxidants that protect the liver from damage. In addition to this, vitamins K and E offer anti-inflammatory properties, which also helps protect the liver.
Liver Detox Food #5: Cruciferous Vegetables
Veggies are good for the overall liver health, particularly those from the cruciferous family, such as cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, and cauliflower. Any leafy green protects the liver by preventing free radical damage and simulating the production of detoxification enzymes.
Liver Detox Food #6: Beets
Eating beets containing betaine and polyphenols on a regular basis has been shown to improve liver`s ability to produce superoxide dismutase and glutathione, both of which are critical for detoxification. Due to their potent ability to stimulate detoxification, they have been also shown to protect against toxic chemicals. For instance, the antioxidants from beets caused apoptosis in leukemia cells in one study, while another study showed that regular consumption of beet juice may prevent skin and lung cancers.
Liver Detox Food #7: Grapefruit
This citrus fruit is loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient that is key to preventing cellular oxidation. It also contains glutathione, a nutrient involved in aiding the liver in the production of detox enzymes. A single grapefruit contains over 70 milligrams of glutathione, and it is used in many body processes, such as production of proteins and tissue repair.
Sources: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov