The liver is an organ only found in vertebrates which detoxifies various metabolites, synthesizes proteins and produces biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. The liver is an accessory digestive organ that produces bile, an alkaline fluid containing cholesterol and bile acids, which helps the breakdown of fat. The gallbladder, a small pouch that sits just under the liver, stores bile produced by the liver which is afterwards moved to the small intestine to complete digestion.
The liver is the only organ in your body that cleanses itself. Whatever we eat or drink is detoxify by our liver therefore it is important to maintain a balanced, liver-friendly diet to keep your liver fit. Here are some food that helps to cleanse your liver naturally –
# TurmericTurmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Asian food. You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make medicine. It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is often used to color foods and cosmetics. Turmeric has antiseptic properties and is a powerful antioxidant. It prevents the multiplication of viruses causing hepatitis B and C. You can simply add turmeric to your cooking or add a pinch of it to milk and drink it.
# Avocado Avocado is the superfood of this modern world. It contains a good amount of different vitamins, minerals which improves the overall health of the liver. It contains a unique antioxidant known as glutathione which helps to filter harmful toxins from your body. Raw avocado flesh is 73% water, 15% fat, 9% carbohydrates, and 2% protein (table). In a 100 gram reference amount, avocado supplies 160 calories, and is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of several B vitamins (such as 28% DV in pantothenic acid) and vitamin K (20% DV), with moderate contents (10-19% DV) of vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium. Avocados also contain phytosterols and carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin.
# PapayaConsuming papayas regularly helps keep all the liver-related conditions at bay. Combine half a teaspoon of lemon juice with two teaspoons of papaya juice and consume it every day. In fact, papaya is one of the safest natural remedies for liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis. The potassium present in the fruit is a huge supporter of kidney health. It cleans out the toxins deposited in the kidneys and reduced the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Payapa seeds also play an important part in keeping the kidney healthy. The presence of flavonoids in it helps in keeping the cells from degenerating and prevents the kidney from dysfunctioning.
# GarlicGarlic has been part of the kitchens for centuries. This herb has curative and medicinal properties because of its antibacterial and antiseptic nature. The beneficial properties of garlic are because of a compound, Allicin. It is rich in minerals like phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Vitamins C, K, Folate, niacin and thiamine also are found abundantly in garlic. Garlic contains a certain sulfur compound that activates liver enzymes which are responsible for flushing out toxins and waste material from your body. It also consists of selenium which protects the liver from damage.
# AmlaIndian gooseberry, or amla, is a fruit tree that grows natively in parts of Asia. It has several culinary and herbal medicine uses, particularly in its native India. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and often purported to have potential antioxidant and heart-health benefits. You can either eat 3-4 raw amlas a day or consume it after grating and eat with salad or curd. It is advisable to consume fresh amlas but since it is seasonal fruit you can opt for canned amlas too.
# Spinach and Carrot JuiceSpinach and carrot are extremely rich in nutrients which help the body to remain healthy. They also help in the regulation of the haemoglobin of your body. Combine equal parts of spinach juice and carrot juice. Drink the juice at least once every day for liver repair.
# Green Leafy Vegetables The greener is always better for your health! Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale is rich with vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants which help to purify the blood.
# Beetroot Beetroots have an excellent nutritional profile that includes plenty of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain unique bioactive compounds called betalains, which may benefit a person’s health. Beetroot juice contains nitrates and also acts as an antioxidant that may befit heart health and reduce inflammation. Clinical data also suggest that a chemical found in the beet can help to fight against fatty liver disease. A 100-milliliter (ml) serving of organic beetroot juice, which is equivalent to a small glass, contains 29 calories, no fat, and the following nutrients:
- 0.42 grams (g) of protein
- 7.50 g of carbohydrates
- 5.42 g of sugar
- 0.40 g of fiber
# Green Tea Many people start their day with a steaming cup of coffee. But did you know that a cup of green tea comes with a ton of benefits? Making the switch to green tea, or at least changing up the routine to include green tea in your daily regimen of liquids, is a smart idea. There’s a whole lotta good in that cup of tea, including its fat-burning properties and ability to improve brain function. Green tea is full of antioxidants known as catechins. Catechin helps for liver detoxification and reduces inflammation of the liver.
# WalnutsIn general, nuts are high in nutrients, vitamins, fats, and antioxidants making them beneficial to treat various disorders. Walnuts are a rich source of an amino acid known as arginine that supports liver cleansing. Walnuts particularly contain a high level of plant-compounds. Black walnuts help to oxygenate blood in the liver.