Liver detox foods are those that have naturally cleansing properties that help the body to eliminate the fats and toxins that cause inflammation and disease.
These detox foods, such as lemon, broccoli and olive oil, are easy to incorporate into your a varied and healthy diet to help prevent liver disease.
In addition to incorporating these foods, you should also eliminate certain items, like processed foods and alcoholic beverages. This helps to prevent further liver problems and excess abdominal fat, which also causes damage to other organs, like the heart and kidneys. Learn more about a liver detox diet and what you should start it.
Here are some liver detox foods that you can eat to cleanse the liver:
1. Lemon
Lemon is a fruit that contains high amounts of vitamins and polyphenols that provide various health benefits. They have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic, antimicrobial and cardiovascular protective action, and can also purify the blood and liver. Complete our online liver disease symptoms quiz to determine whether your symptoms are related to a liver problem.
Lemon is also widely used to treat colds and flu, and can be consumed in the form of lemonade or squeezed into meals and salads.
2. Broccoli
Some studies show that eating broccoli can help prevent liver cancer in people who don't drink alcohol. In addition, it can help prevent excess fat in the liver and reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Broccoli can also help fight osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, improve the immune system, protect the eyes and act as a gastric protector, as it is rich in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, folic acid and antioxidants. It also has fiber which reduces the absorption of fats and cholesterol in the intestines and also helps regulate blood sugar.
Learn more about liver inflammation and what can cause it.
3. Green tea
Green tea is rich in catechins and antioxidants which can help to oxidate fat and increase HDL cholesterol levels. The antioxidants in green tea can also prevent the cellular damage that can lead to cancer, not just in the liver, but in any part of the body.
Green tea is also cardio and neuroprotective, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic and promotes healthy blood vessels. It is recommended that you drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day to reap all of its benefits.
There are also green tea capsules available on the market, but they should not be consumed by people who already have liver problems. Read more about the health benefits of green tea and how to take it.
4. Coffee
Regular coffee consumption has liver detox benefits as it reduces inflammation, as well as the the risk of cirrhosis and cancer. These effects seem to be due to less fat being deposited in the liver and an increase in good cholesterol and adiponectin levels.
Adiponectin is a hormone that participates in the metabolism of fats and sugars, promoting fat oxidation and reducing insulin resistance, which is common in diabetes and obesity.
The caffeine recommendation for healthy adults is 400 mg/day, which is equivalent to 2 to 3 cups of black coffee per day. Read more about the health benefits of coffee and how to take it.
5. Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts, and seeds like chia, sunflower, linseed, pumpkin and sesame seeds are rich in omega-3, vitamin E, B-complex and minerals.
Nuts and seeds also contain fiber, which reduces fat absorption in the intestines and promotes an increase in good HDL cholesterol. This ultimately protects the liver from fat accumulation.
Because they are high in calories, you should consume nuts and seeds in small quantities to obtain their benefits. They can be used in snacks with yogurt or fruit, or added to salads or cakes.
6. Boldo tea
Boldo tea has a protective effect on liver cells, as it contains a substance called boldin that stimulates the production and expulsion of bile. This effect promotes fat absorption in the intestines and lowers cholesterol levels.
It also has stimulating and tonic properties that activate the secretion of saliva and gastric juice. Therefore it can be taken in cases of dyspepsia, intestinal gas and constipation. To prepare the tea, use 2 grams of leaves per cup of water and drink several times a day.
7. Beet juice
Beet juice is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids, which help to reduce inflammation and promote the production of liver enzymes. In addition, beet juice helps improve blood circulation, which can keep blood pressure within normal levels and prevent heart disease.
8. Olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that offer various health benefits to the liver. It helps to manage liver enzyme production and reduce fat deposits in the liver. Olive oil also helps manage cholesterol, which is produced and distributed by the liver, and improves blood circulation in the liver.
Check-out out a list of food that is good for the liver that you can also incorporate into your diet.
