Foods for Healthy Liver

One of the organs which have a wide range of functions in the body is the liver. It is one of those organs, which is necessary for survival and its loss has no compensation. Among the vital functions carried out by this organ is detoxification in the body, synthesis of protein and manufacture of biochemicals that is necessary for digestion. This is the only internal organ in the human body that has the capability to regenerate. However, despite this fact, it stays vulnerable to several kinds of diseases. A malfunctioning or poorly functioning liver gives rise to bouts of symptoms and other medical disorders in the body thus, putting the overall health in jeopardy.

So one of the most effective and safest ways to thank the liver for all the vital functions it does for you, and to help it go on with the good work uninterrupted, is by choosing the right kind of foods for your diet.

Good Foods to Keep the Liver Healthy

Fruits
The first in my list of are fruits. And not just any fruits, but those which are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants set up a barrier to protect the liver from free radical damage, which is caused due to detoxification. So the liver cleansing foods in the form of fruits high in antioxidants include:

• Apples
• Black currant
• Blackberries
• Cantaloupe
• Crowberries
• Grapefruit
• Grapes
• Kiwifruit
• Oranges
• Pears
• Pineapples
• Plums
• Pomegranates
• Prunes
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

The Cruciferous Family
Vegetables belonging from this family are known to be among the powerful, natural detoxification agents of the liver. The chemicals contained by these vegetables help in neutralizing various toxins. Common examples of cruciferous foods that help keep the liver healthy:

• Bok choy
• Broccoflower
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprout
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens
• Garden cress
• Horseradish
• Kale
• Radish
• Turnip root
• Watercress

Some More Foods
Carrot is known to be among the best foods for liver. This vegetable is a storehouse of what is known as the beta carotene and carotenoids. These agents protect the liver from the damage caused by toxins.

The next name to be listed is beet. It is also a powerhouse of antioxidants. It is a source of B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants such as selenium and glutathione. All these agents work to keep the liver in the optimum state of health.

The liver requires what is known as the allicin, to carry out the process of effective detoxification. And this very agent is in abundant quantity in garlic. So adding garlic to your regular diet would help your body to eliminate mercury, food additives and other harmful toxins.

One of the simplest methods for liver detoxification early in the morning is to drink a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and boiled water. Lemon also helps in stimulating healthy bowel movement thus, preventing ailments such as constipation.

Foods that do good for the liver are also the ones which are rich in lecithin. This agent aids the organ to breakdown fats thus, helping to lower the cholesterol levels in the body.

The liver secretes a digestive juice known as bile. This juice works as an eliminator of toxins and harmful microorganisms in the body. So if bile production is high, it is certain that the liver would function more effectively. And one of the natural ways to do this is by adding artichoke to the diet. According to studies, bile production leaps by 100%, 30 minutes post consuming globe artichoke.

Other good foods include:

• Almonds
• Yogurt
• Kidney beans
• Green tea
• Soybeans
• Oats
• Salmon
• Spinach
• Dandelion
• Chicory root
• Endive
• Rocket
• Pumpkin

While including all such foods in your diet, do not forget the sheer importance of drinking plenty of water throughout the day, daily. Even if you include half of the foods mentioned above in your diet, but drink about 8-9 glasses of pure water daily, you are doing enough for your liver. Remember, water is nature's most inexpensive medicine to get rid of toxins from the body.