5 Foods That Naturally Cleanse Your Liver
The liver is an important organ of the body that safeguards it against harmful chemical substances called toxins, which get into the body through the foods or drinks we consume.
The liver is the body’s first defense position against toxins, and it act by filtering toxic materials from entering the blood stream.
As the liver continues to work to keep the body safe, it can become overburdened or stressed, especially if you are eating or drinking a lot of processed foods and drinks which usually contain substances than are harmful to the body.
A stressed or overburdened liver will not be efficient at filtering toxins from the body, thereby leaving the body with lots of toxic substances that can result in severe health issues.
To keep the liver clean and active, and to perform at its best potential, it needs to be regularly detoxed, especially considering the fact that most of our diets is composed of processed foods and drinks.
Detoxification is the practice of removing toxins from the liver or the body. There are many products out there claiming to be able to detox the body.
While some of these products may actually work, others are fake; they may even add more toxins to the body than removing them.
However, there are foods you can eat that can naturally cleanse your liver and you may not need those products.
Here are five real foods that have been found to be effective at cleaning up the liver and the body in general of toxic substances and boosting your health.
1. Nuts
All nuts, including groundnuts and walnuts are great at detoxifying the liver. Nuts contain amino acids and fatty acids and no sugar. Walnuts particularly contain a high level of l-arginine and glutathione, which are helpful in detoxifying the liver and providing a rich supply of oxygen to the blood.
2. Grapes
Grapes are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which are excellent liver cleansing agents. Grapefruits contain a flavonoid called naringenin, which contains a compound that burns fats in the liver rather than allowing it to store fat.
3. Onions, Garlic, and Egg Yolk
Onions, garlic, and egg yolk contain compounds that are rich in sulphur. These compounds can help the liver in detoxifying a good number of toxins. Garlic contains the substances allicin and selenium which have been found to assist in protecting the liver from overburdened liver.
4. Green tea
Green tea contains a type of plant antioxidant known as catechins. This antioxidant has been shown to have the capacity to remove accumulation of fat in the liver, and to enhance its functioning. It has also been found that catechins protect the liver against harmful toxins that can cause serious damage to it.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been found to having the ability to protect the liver against damage by toxic substances and also to regenerate liver cells that have been damaged.
It is also found to significantly increase the production of bile and hepatic dusts in patients with gallbladder problems.
The foods discussed above do not only help in detoxifying the liver, but also other organs that work to eliminate toxic substances from the body, including the colon and the kidneys.
What to stay away from
In order to maintain a healthy liver, excessive consumption of alcohol and fructose is something to stay away from. The digestion of fructose produces fat that is stored in the liver and other tissues in the form of fat. Excessive consumption of fructose can cause non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NADLD), which can cause the malfunctioning of the liver.