September-19: Health
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in september
14 Best and Worst Foods for Your Liver
The liver is one of the most vital organs in the entire body. The liver secretes bile that is needed for the intestine to digest the food. Its other main function is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. It also detoxifies the body and metabolizes drugs. This is why it is very important to care for your liver. Eat foods that are good for the health of your liver, while avoid the ones that are harmful.  Â
Nutshell
- Avoid excess salt, sugar and junk food
- Drink water and green tea to cleanse the liver
Drink Water
Liver is responsible for flushing the toxins and water aids the liver with this process. It hydrates your body and helps you stay alert, productive, and in a balanced mood.
French fries and burgers are bad for your liver’s health as they are high in saturated fat which make it harder for your liver to do its job. In long run it may lead to inflammation and cause cirrhosis.
Include Green Leafy vegetables
Antioxidants present in leafy vegetables protect the liver from oxidative damage and other diseases. They also contain a good amount of vitamins A, C, and K, calcium and have anti-inflammatory properties. These vegetables help the liver in detoxifying the body as well as in the function of bile creation.
Berries are healthy
Most berries like cranberries and blueberries are superfood. They contain phytochemicals which help protect you against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Berries are also known to reduce free radicals and thus decrease the development of cancer growths on the liver.
Enjoy Coffee in Moderation
If you love your cup of coffee, here is some good news for you. Studies show that drinking coffee in moderation helps reduce the fat buildup in the liver caused by too much alcohol or an unhealthy diet. It also reduces the risk of liver cancer.
Restrict Sugar Intake
One of the functions of liver is to convert sugar into fat and excess intake of sugar would mean more fat getting deposited in liver. In the long run, this could lead to fatty liver disease.Â
Sip some Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has many health benefits. It is known to prevent liver cancer and reduces the fat stored in the liver. When taken in moderation, it assists liver function and protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxins such as alcohol.Â
Don’t drink Soda (Soft Drinks)
Sodas are heavy on sugar and cause weight gain. Even the diet sodas have chemicals to sweeten them which may lead to weight gain in the liver itself.Â
Avoid Salt
Consumption of excess salt would result in retention of fluid in the liver disrupting its health. Thus it is advisable to cut down on salt intake by avoiding processed and packed food.Â
Grapes are good
Grapes contain a variety of beneficial plant compounds. Consuming grapes (with or without seeds) is known to reduce inflammation. It prevents liver damage and increases the antioxidant levels.Â
Nuts as snacks
Nuts like almond and walnuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants. They eliminate bad cholesterol from the body and lower blood pressure thus aiding the liver in its function. However, excess consumption may not be healthy as nuts are high in calories.Â
Control Alcohol Consumption
Liver metabolizes alcohol. But when the amount of alcohol in the blood is too high, this liver function may be interrupted, resulting in chemical imbalance. This could lead to cirrhosis.
Include Garlic
It has been found that when garlic is consumed, the liver activates enzymes that help the body get rid of harmful toxins. Garlic is also known to aid liver cleansing and reduce body weight and fat in people who suffer from NAFLD.
Reduce Red meat
Red meat is known to be rich in protein but it also has cholesterol. Thus consuming too much red meat can increase accumulation of fat in the liver and raise risks of NAFLD.Â
Source: www.webmd.com, www.littlethings.com, https://www.manipalhospitals.com
