Liver, the largest gland of the human body is a very important organ as it performs some very vital functions for the body. The liver carries out detoxification of the body and removes waste products, toxins, drugs, alcohol etc. that are not required by the body. Liver is also a store house of iron and vitamins and produces bile which is needed by the body to digest fats. The liver also breaks down hemoglobin, insulin and other hormones that are important for the body to function. One of the most important functions of the liver is to destroy the old red blood cells thus cleansing the blood stream and rendering healthy blood oxygen to all organs of the body. However, with so many functions to perform, the lifestyle that we lead and the unhealthy diet we take, the liver is prone to many diseases. It is essential to keep the liver healthy and protect it from diseases for the overall health and survival.
Organic Foods for Healthy Liver
Taking a balanced and healthy diet is one of the best ways in which the liver health can be maintained. Organic foods or natural foods that are free from pesticides and impurities can boost the liver health and functioning to a great extent. The following foods are considered good for the liver and improve its functioning.
- Garlic: Garlic contains allicin and selenium which are natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing. Garlic activates the liver enzymes that flush out toxins from the body in an effective manner.
- Beets and Carrots: Beets and carrots contain a high amount of flavonoids and beta-carotene. These are also rich in glutathione which is a protein that helps in the detoxification of the liver. Beets and carrots can improve and stimulate the overall functioning of the liver.
- Spinach: Raw spinach is one of the richest sources of glutathione. The consumption of spinach can trigger the liver cleansing enzymes and thus improve the functioning of the liver.
- Cabbage: Cabbage contains glucosinolates which help in the production of isothiocyanates which are compounds that trigger the enzymes of the liver. These enzymes stimulate the cleansing function of the liver and improve the functioning of the liver to a great extent.
- Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in the synthesis of toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water and easily removed by the body. Vitamin C is also known to stimulate the functioning of the liver.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit also contains a high amount of glutathione and so aids in liver cleansing. Grapefruit is also a rich source of Vitamin C and several antioxidants that stimulate the function of the liver and increase the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver thus helping the liver to perform the cleansing process more effectively.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is a natural diuretic and stimulates the functioning of the liver to remove toxic materials from the body.
- Dandelion: Dandelion root tea is one of the lesser known foods for aiding the liver in the cleansing process. Dandelion root tea helps the liver to break down break down fats, produce amino acids and remove the toxins.
- Brussels Sprouts: Brussels Sprouts contain a high amount of sulfur and glucosinolate which help the liver to release enzymes that block the environmental toxins from damaging the liver in any manner.
- Apples: Apples are a rich source of pectin and other chemicals that are essential to cleansing and removing toxins from the body. Apples help the liver to handle the toxins in an effective manner during the cleansing process.
- Alternative Grains: Alternative grains like quiona, millets and buckwheat are gluten free and contain almost no toxins. On the other hand when liver cleanses toxins, gluten from grains like wheat is also removed. Thus switching to alternative grains helps the liver to handle the cleansing process more effectively.
- Avocados: Avocados contain many nutrients and help the body to produce glutathione that is essential for liver to cleanse toxins from the body.
- Turmeric: Turmeric helps to boost the detoxification abilities of the liver. Turmeric helps the liver to produce enzymes that flush out or remove dietary carcinogens from the body.
