9 things you should eat for a healthy Liver

A liver is a vital organ in our body, just like all the other organs. A liver’s function is to filter, process and breakdown whatever goes into our body- solid foods and liquids. It is also responsible for filtering your blood. It keeps in all the important stuff that you consume and passes down the unhealthy stuff. Our liver works round the clock, just to keep us healthy and functioning. But when a liver becomes overwhelmed with the wrong kind of foods and liquids consumed by a person, it’s natural functioning cycle begins to slow down. We usually tend to overload our liver with toxins and pollutants in the form of fried and processed foods, especially in large quantities. But did you know there are foods, which cleanses your liver? If not, then this blog will take you through a list of food items, which are specially working on the health of your liver. They stimulate the liver’s natural ability to expel toxins from the body. Let us know what they are.

1. Garlic: The irony is that this smelly looking white pod makes a dish super tasty. But it boosts a liver’s healthy in many ways. Garlic contains selenium, a mineral that helps to detoxify the liver. Consuming garlic raw or when mixed with dishes will enable your liver to activate enzymes that can help your body naturally flush out toxins.
2. Beetroots: This tasty piece of vegetable leaves a natural red colour on our lips. They are known to increase the oxygen levels in our blood, break down the toxic wastes and help them eliminate from our system quickly. They stimulate bile flow and boost enzymatic activity. Beetroots also contain fiber and Vitamin C, which are natural cleansers for the digestive system.
3. Avocados: This tasty fruit is a super healthy fruit. They help clean your arteries and help the body naturally produce glutathione, the compound that helps the liver rid itself of toxins.
4. Carrots: How many times have you heard your elders say that eating carrots enhances our vision? While that may or may not be true, it definitely helps your liver. Carrots are very high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, which stimulates and supports the overall liver function. The vitamin A present in them prevents liver diseases.
5. Vegetables: All vegetables are healthy and benefit our health in different ways. But particular vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage contain glucosinolate, which helps the liver to produce detoxifying enzymes. The sulfur compounds in them aid the health of your liver. These leafy vegetables contain a high amount of chlorophyll, which leaches toxins out of the blood stream. They can neutralize heavy metals in order to protect the liver.
   P.S: Did you know that cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage are also known as ‘Cruciferous Vegetables’? Well, now you know.
6. Lemon: Lemon or any other citrus foods such as grapefruit, oranges and lime boost the liver’s cleansing ability. Even if you eat small amounts of these tart foods everyday, they will help the liver to produce the detoxifying enzymes that flush out pollutants. Want a clean, healthy liver? Start binging on oranges and limes.
7. Apples: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The mention of an apple makes me think of this anecdote all the time. But this saying is indeed true as apples contain high levels of pectin, a chemical that helps the body cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This means that your liver can function in a healthy manner since fewer toxins will be present inside.
8. Turmeric: Ever heard of your elders constantly nagging you to drink the turmeric infused milk while you fuss at it? Well, it’s time to start consuming turmeric if you want a healthy liver. Turmeric helps the enzymes that flush out toxins and contains antioxidants that repair liver cells. It also helps boost the bile production.
9. Olive oil: It is found that the negative effects of a high fat diet can be reversed by consumption of olive oil. Olive oil contains a compound called hydroxytyrosol, which reverses the signs of insulin resistance- a precursor of diabetes.