The liver is a vital organ, and performs many crucial functions for the body.
It isn’t just responsible for producing proteins, cholesterol and bile, it is also responsible for storing Vitamins, Minerals and Carbohydrates. It also helps with breaking down toxins like alcohol, medications and the byproducts of metabolism.
You can’t enjoy good health, if you don’t take care of your liver.
Here is a list of a few foods that are good for the liver and a few that you need to avoid for a healthy liver.
Foods Good For Your Liver
1. Blueberries
Blueberries have in them antioxidants called polyphenols that protects us against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is usually seen in people with obesity and high levels of cholesterol.
2. Herbs And Spices
You now have one more reason to sprinkle your food with oregano. Spices like oregano, sage and rosemary have in them polyphenols that help keep our liver healthy. What’s more, adding these spices to your food will help you reduce the amount of salt that you consume. Other spices that you can use are curry powder, cinnamon and cumin, to name a few.
3. Oatmeal
Liver functions best when we have foods rich in fiber. Starting your day with oatmeal isn’t just good if you want to lose some weight, it is also an excellent protection against liver disease.
4. Coffee
If you happen to be a coffee lover, you’d be glad to know that your caffeine habit is actually good for your liver! Research has it that drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day can protect the liver from the damage caused by alcohol and an unhealthy diet. It even lowers your risk of liver cancer.
5. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants known as catechins which can be your insurance against a few forms of cancer including liver cancer. For these benefits, it is best sipped on while it’s still hot. The iced and the ready-to-drink versions don’t have as many catechins.
What’s Bad For Your Liver
1. Alcohol
Binge drinking does more harm to your body than you realize, especially to your liver. Your best bet is to limit your alcohol intake to one drink a day if you’re a woman or two a day if you’re a man.
2. Fatty Foods
Eating foods rich in saturated fat is very harmful for your liver and doesn’t let the liver do its job. It could lead to inflammation to begin with, which over time turns to scarring and even cirrhosis. Next time you’re eating out, give the burgers and fries a miss and opt for something healthier.
3. Sugar
Having too much sugar is very bad for your liver. That is because a part of its job is to convert sugar into fat. If you eat too much sugar, your liver converts it all into fat and this, in the long run results in fatty liver disease. You can still have your sweets, as long as you keep them as an occasional treat.
4. Salt
A diet high in salt can lead to a condition called fibrosis, which is the first stage of liver disease. There are many small steps that you can take to reduce your overall salt intake. Choosing fresh vegetables instead of the canned variety, for instance. Or putting away the salt shaker during mealtimes.
5. Packaged Snacks
The next time you get the munchies, do yourself a favor and stay away from the vending machine. Chips and baked goods are usually loaded with sugar, salt and fat, all of which are bad for your liver. A better idea would be to snack on healthier foods that you can bring from home.
