What foods support the liver cleansing process?

What foods support the liver cleansing process?

The liver is the organ responsible for metabolizing (i.e., breaking down) numerous substances that enter our body. Also, it also has a filtering function, as it neutralizes various toxins and harmful chemical compounds. All this makes the functioning of the liver absolutely crucial to our health. Unfortunately, modern eating habits often put this organ under additional strain. Therefore, it is worth introducing into your diet products that will support the liver cleansing process. Fortunately, there are many such foods. What foods will be most valuable in this regard?

1.Milk thistle

Followers of natural medicine are well aware of the healing properties of certain herbs. Some plants also support the work of the liver. There are several of them, but the most useful herb is thistle. This plant with characteristic purple flowers contains in itself an active substance – silymarin. Research has shown that silymarin has a beneficial effect on the liver and helps it regenerate from poisoning. Therefore, milk thistle extract can be a valuable addition to a daily diet. The best solution is to take it in the form of a supplement.

2. Vegetables

Recommendations for regular consumption of vegetables do not come from anywhere. It is vegetable products that are often the most valuable ingredients in our menus. When it comes to a diet that supports liver cleansing, virtually all vegetables deserve to be recommended. However, it is the leafy green vegetables that should be given the palm of precedence. Spinach, kale, arugula, and other such vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients.
What’s more, their green color is due to chlorophyll, a naturally occurring pigment. Chlorophyll has powerful antioxidant properties and also helps filter the blood. So it’s hard to think of a better nutritional recommendation for people who want to take care of their liver health.

3.Turmeric

One of the more common symptoms of a diseased liver is recurrent inflammation. To make matters worse, such ailments can be really troublesome. To avoid similar problems, it is worth enriching your diet with anti-inflammatory products. The body’s ability to absorb and store the nutrients it needs is a critical factor in positively affecting the body’s health. Many people consume turmeric in powdered form, i.e., as a traditional spice for oriental dishes. However, turmeric extract is also available in supplement form. The advantage of this type of section is the increased content of curcumin, the active ingredient. Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Moreover, the properties of turmeric itself are so beneficial that everyone should introduce it into their diet.

4. Artichoke

Artichoke used to be a vegetable commonly used in gastronomy. However, nowadays it is less and less popular on our tables. It is a very unfavorable dependence because artichoke is a real treasury of substances supporting the liver. Also, it helps the process of digestion, improves intestinal peristalsis, and increases bile secretion. So we can say that artichoke acts comprehensively on the entire digestive system. Fortunately, you do not have to look for it in stores because artichoke extract is a popular ingredient of dietary supplements. It is worth taking it at least in this form.

5. garlic

Garlic is sometimes called a natural antibiotic, and there is no exaggeration in that. The substances contained in it have bacteriostatic and disinfectant properties. But this is not the end of its benefits. In garlic, there is also allicin, a compound responsible for the characteristic smell. Allicin lowers the level of bad cholesterol, which is particularly important in the case of fatty liver. No wonder, then, that the consumption of garlic can prove to be very beneficial.
On the other hand, you need to remember not to consume too much garlic. The sulfur compounds contained in it indeed have a positive effect on health. However, such a product is observed only with low and moderate supply. Too much of this type of substance can already have a negative impact and cause health problems.

Physical activity

Diet is an essential part of prevention aimed at liver health. However, even the best-balanced diet is no substitute for regular physical activity. In fact, the sport has a beneficial effect on our health. Importantly, scientists have proven that physical activity is highly beneficial to the liver. What is the reason for this?

First of all, practicing sport is inextricably linked with increased calorie burn. This, in turn, in combination with a diet generating a caloric deficit, will lead to the loss of fat tissue accumulated in the body. Thus, regular activity can help in the fight against fatty liver. Moreover, physical exercise increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Therefore, moderate exercise is recommended for people with liver problems.

Alcohol – the main enemy of the liver

Finally, it is worth mentioning one substance that has a particularly adverse effect on the liver. It is, of course, alcohol. Our body recognizes alcohol as a poison and therefore, quickly metabolizes it. Unfortunately, it is broken down in the liver, which leads to additional strain on this organ. No wonder that alcohol abuse usually leads to inflammation and disease in this organ.

Thus, limiting or altogether abandoning alcohol consumption seems to be the best solution. This is especially important for people who already have problems with the digestive system. Alcohol also negatively affects the stomach, esophagus, and other organs involved in the digestive process. All the arguments mentioned above clearly speak in favor of quitting alcohol.