The liver processes the foods you eat and filters out toxins, it plays a crucial role in your body’s overall health.
The liver processes the foods you eat and filters out toxins, it plays a crucial role in your body’s overall health.
Men are more likely than women to develop liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Higher rates of alcohol consumption and certain lifestyle factors contribute to this disparity. Incorporating liver-friendly foods, mainly foods low in salt, fat, and refined sugar, into your diet is crucial for liver health. These foods include:
Leafy Green Vegetables:
Spinach, Kale, Romaine lettuce, and other leafy greens are rich in chlorophyll which helps to detoxify the liver, and vitamin K which controls blood clotting.
Cruciferous Vegetables:
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, and Cabbage all enhance liver detoxification, and they are high in fiber which aids in digestion, promoting digestive system health.
Berries:
Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, and other berries all contain rich antioxidants that can reduce inflammation.
Olive Oil:
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, it has been found that olive oil can protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It can reduce liver fat and has anti-inflammatory effects on the liver.
Lean Protein:
Protein sources such as lean chicken, turkey, fish, and beef are all low in fat and salt, which is important for your liver health. Plant protein options include nuts, lentils, and tofu, which have similar effects on the liver. Walnuts in particular contain high levels of glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids that support liver detoxification.
Garlic:
Selenium and allicin, found in garlic, help stimulate liver enzymes, excrete toxins, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
High-Fiber Foods:
Foods high in fiber such as oatmeal help to keep your digestive system flowing so your body can remove toxins.
Green Tea:
It has been found that regular green tea consumption can improve enzyme levels and reduce fat accumulation, protecting against liver disease because it is rich in catechins and antioxidants.
Beets:
High in antioxidants and other nutrients such as folate, fiber, and betalains which reduce inflammation and oxidative damage to the liver.
Coffee:
Moderate coffee consumption has been found to lower the risk of liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. It can lower liver enzyme levels and reduce inflammation.
Alcohol can cause liver damage, it reduces the antioxidants that protect the liver, and the availability of oxygen, and each time the liver has to process alcohol, liver cells are destroyed, and over time they are not able to regenerate.
It is important to maintain liver health, and the liver is an organ that can heal from damage just from diet modifications and a healthy lifestyle. With these adjustments, you can ensure your liver performs its vital functions and remains healthy.
Resources:
Foods that are good for Your liver’s health: Banner health. Foods That Are Good for Your Liver’s Health | Banner Health. (n.d.). https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/eat-these-foods-to-keep-your-liver-healthy-and-happy
Liver disease diets: Fatty liver diet and more. (n.d.-c). https://liverfoundation.org/health-and-wellness/healthy-lifestyle/liver-disease-diets/
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