Five must-have food items to cleanse your liver
The liver's main task is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body, detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs. However, this vital organ can get exposed to several toxins from the processed foods that we consume on a daily basis. Here are five must-have food items that can help cleanse your liver.
Turmeric
Since time immemorial, turmeric is quite popular for its medicinal values, hence its positive effects on the liver shouldn't come as a surprise. A bioactive agent in turmeric called curcumin helps protect the liver because of its hepatoprotective effect. Further, turmeric can shield the liver from several diseases by reducing inflammation, minimizing oxidative stress, and improving lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Nuts
A great blend of fatty acids, bioactive compounds and essential nutrients, nuts can naturally cleanse the liver. Rich in amino acid arginine and essential vitamins, nuts can help you get rid of toxins like ammonia. Further, they are also beneficial in boosting the levels of glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids. Daily consumption of a handful of nuts can also reduce cholesterol problems.
Coffee
Unchecked consumption of alcohol and fructose may lead to cirrhosis, a condition where liver tissues are replaced by scar tissues. But don't worry, regular consumption of coffee can help you. Coffee is effective in lowering the risk of cirrhosis and improving liver health, by reducing its rigidity. So, if you're someone who loves their daily cup of coffee, we recommend you keep doing so!
Yogurt
Perhaps, the worst thing that can happen to your liver/body is unwanted build-up of fat. This can lead to several health issues such as heart attack and stroke. But, you can effectively guard the liver against fat deposition, simply by yogurt consumption. We say so because yogurt is rich in gut-friendly bacteria called probiotics. Consume plain, unsweetened yogurt on a regular basis.
Olive oil
Rich in healthy fats, olive oil is great for your overall well-being. Further, it can also help improve liver health. It can effectively protect the liver from oxidative stress, which is often associated with accelerated aging in humans and other major health issues. That apart, a regular consumption of olive oil can also help reduce the levels of fat in the liver.