Healthy Liver – Nutritional Foods That Help Your Liver

Nutrition

oi-Gowri Nandini

By Nandhini Devi

Friday, July 1, 2011, 17:05

The largest internal organ in our body, performs more than 500 functions and is mandatory for our survival – which is this important organ? The Liver. If your liver does not function properly, all the other body functions are affected. Detoxification, controlling body metabolism, assisting digestion, protein synthesis etc. are some of the main function of the liver. Liver diseases such as Hepatitis A, B, C and D can be kept away by following a healthy diet for liver.

Therefore, having a healthy liver is essential for a healthy human body. Avoiding consumption of alcohol, recreational drugs and other toxins will reduce the risk of danger to the article. Well-balanced diet and exercise help in maintaining a healthy liver. Let's have a look at healthy liver foods that are beneficial.

Foods for healthy liver:

Apples & Beetroots: This fruit contains pectin, an agent that binds and helps excretion of heavy metals from the body. It specially helps in cleansing the colon. Having an apple everyday aids the liver in the detoxification process. Beetroots have the capacity to absorb heavy metals.

Bitter Vegetables: Chicory, dandelion and rocket – all bitter greens, help in stimulating the bile flow in the liver.

Artichoke: Protects and restores the liver, by increasing bile production. It helps in cleansing the bowel, lowers triglyceride levels, cholesterol and other unwated micro-organisms.

Garlic: 'Allicin' present in the garlic helps the liver in detoxification. Additives added in the food, mercury and the estrogen hormone are eliminated when you consume garlic regularly.

Lemon Juice: This is another healthy liver food. Drinking a glass of hot water that has been mixed with a spoon of lemon juice, first thing in the morning, helps in thorough cleansing of the bowel. This too helps the liver in detoxification.

Antioxidants: During the process of detoxification, high levels of free-radicals are formed. Anti-oxidants help in protecting the liver from these free radicals. Most of the fruits such as apples, prunes, strawberries, plums, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe etc. are a rich source of anti-oxidants.

Vegetables: Veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts contain chemicals that reduce the harm caused by nitrosamines (an element found in cigarette smoke) and aflotoxin (an element found in found in peanuts). Glucosinolates, required for detoxification, is also found in these veggies.

Fibrous Food: Rice, cereals and whole grains are a rich source of fibre and help in the keeping the liver healthy. These grains are an essential part of an healthy diet for your liver.

Apart from consuming a diet that is rich in these foods, it is important to exercise and rest sufficiently to maintain a healthy liver.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.