As the human body’s largest organ, the liver has some pretty important functions – 500 of them, to be exact. It makes bile to help break down food, stores nutrients and vitamins and fights infections and disease, to name three. With such a heavy workload, it’s no surprise the liver needs a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to keep itself going. The good news is by eating and drinking certain foods we can ensure it gets them. Here are five of our top suggestions:
Cruciferous veges
Veges such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale contain glutathione, which kickstarts the liver’s toxin cleansing enzymes of the liver. Eating them will increase production of glucosinolate in your system, which helps flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
Olive oil
Yes, it's a fat, but it’s generally considered a healthy one. It has been shown to decrease the levels of fat in the liver. Other cold-pressed organic oils such as hemp and flaxseed have similar benefits.
Green tea
Evidence has shown that it may have benefits for the liver. A study based in Japan* found that drinking 5-10 cups of green tea a day can lead to improved blood markers of liver health, thanks to the catechin (a plant antioxidant) it contains. Green tea is packed full of this plant antioxidant.
Citrus fruit
Citrus fruits stimulate the liver and help it turns toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Grapefruit is especially good as it contains naringin and naringenin, which are antioxidants that reduce inflammation to protect the liver from injury. Grapefruit can, however, interact with some medications, so it's recommended you talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Citrus fruits are also packed with vitamin C, so they’re great for keeping colds at bay.
Garlic
Garlic is full of sulphur, which activates liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. It also has a lot of selenium, a vital micronutrient that helps boost the natural antioxidant enzyme levels in our livers.
