Liver plays a key role in detoxifying your body by filtering your blood that comes from your digestive tract. It keeps your blood clean and free from damaging chemicals and toxins. Blood flows from the liver to rest of the body.
Liver is an organ that metabolises alcohol and prescription drugs as well. A healthy liver produces, releases and safely passes the bile from the body on a regular basis to aid digestion.
Consume healthy foods and herbs to help sustain a healthy liver. These foods include:
Green tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and it naturally flushes your system. It can boost your immune system while protecting your liver from damaging effects of toxic substance.
Garlic: Garlic helps your liver to activate enzymes that can flush out toxins. It also contains natural compounds, allicin and selenium, which aid in liver cleansing.
Turmeric: Turmeric is well known for its antioxidant properties. The antioxidant effect is so powerful that it may stop your liver from being damaged by toxins.
Olive oil: Olive oil remains the most beneficial for liver cleansing. Choose an olive oil that is minimally processed. Look for extra virgin olive oil that comes from fresh olives and does not involve heat or chemicals while producing it. Freshness is also important. Avoid olive oil that is more than two years old. Olive oil is one of the best all-natural solutions available for cleansing liver. By drinking large amounts of olive oil, liver gets the signal to open the bile ducts. As the bile ducts open up to process extra quantities of the oil, anything that was previously stuck also flows out easily. Drinking large amounts of olive oil at once can be difficult. So refrigerate it first for few hours. Then mix it with orange juice. Shake well and drink.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Apple cider vinegar has been scientifically proven to flush the liver, boost circulation and reduce liver inflammation. A basic ACV detox involves consuming the vinegar up to three times a day.
Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables are very beneficial for liver health. These vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts may increase the liver’s natural detoxification enzymes which help protect it from damage by flushing out pollutants. Beets are also good for cleansing the blood and breaking down toxic waste to help them excreted effectively. They stimulate bile flow by boosting enzymatic activity. Carrot is another vegetable that supports liver function and prevents liver damage due to the presence of plant-flavonoids, beta-carotene and vitamin A.
Fruits: Apples are rich in pectin. Pectin is a chemical that helps the body in cleansing and releasing toxins from the digestive tract. The digestive tract having fewer toxins helps your liver to function better by managing toxic load. It actually helps in cleansing the whole body. Avocados also help your liver get rid of toxins. They help the body to produce a compound, glutathione which helps in liver detoxification. Blueberries contain polyphenols that may help protect you against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Citrus fruits like grape fruit, orange, lemon, tomato and lime help the liver to produce the detoxifying enzymes that flush out pollutants.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is full of fiber and fiber helps your liver work at its best. Having oatmeal in breakfast daily can help shed some extra pound and belly fat and it helps you get rid of liver disease.
Coffee: Studies show that two to three cups of coffee a day can protect your liver from damage caused by alcohol and unhealthy diet. According to some researches, coffee may lower the risk of liver cancer too.
Nuts: Walnuts are good source of omega-3 fatty acids and glutathione, both of which help in liver detoxification. Almonds are packed with vitamin E. This nutrient helps protect against fatty liver disease. Almonds also reduce surges of blood sugar after meals and thus they help reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. Pecans are also a powerful weapon against fatty liver disease. It decreases unhealthy oxidation of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Herbs and spices: Few herbs and spices like oregano, sage, rosemary, cumin and cinnamon are a good source of polyphenols which help protect liver.
Water: Drink plenty of water to save as many calories as possible. It will keep your liver to work efficiently by keeping a check on your weight.
Performing a liver cleanse is quite important because it helps in getting rid of the excess bile that builds up over time. Healthy diet and regular exercise are essential to any vigorous lifestyle. The healthier your lifestyle is, the healthier your liver would be. People with unhealthy lifestyle can experience great benefits from doing liver cleansing. After detoxification of your liver, you may feel more energetic and more mentally alert. You may also feel lighter and slimmer following the cleansing process.