Friday 19 April 2019

9 foods recommended by Ayurveda for a healthy liver

The liver is the engine of our body, but how many times do we pay attention to keeping it healthy? Our liver plays an important role in digesting, metabolizing and manufacturing essential compounds.  It is critical that we regularly detox our liver to keep it healthy and fighting fit. If toxins build up in the liver it can lead to sensitivity to allergens, cholesterol issues, digestive problems or fatigue. Ayurveda recommendations and practices help in taking care of our liver health, avoid ailments or damage and recover from ailments.   


Here are a few easily available food items that can help detox your liver naturally: 

1. Garlic:  Garlic helps the liver to activate enzymes that flush out toxins from our body. Also, it has high levels of allicin, which has antioxidants, antibiotic and antifungal properties, and Selenium, which increases the action of antioxidants. Both aid in the liver in cleansing.

2. Carrot: Carrots are very high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, which stipulate and support the overall liver functions. Vitamin A in carrots prevents liver disease. 

3. Apple: Apples contain pectin that helps cleanse the body and release toxins from the digestive system. With fewer toxins, our liver can better manage its toxin load. Make sure you eat at least one apple a day.

4. Walnuts: An excellent source for amino acids, eating walnuts regularly helps to detox our liver. A study found that eating walnuts improved liver function tests in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. But make sure you eat only a handful of walnuts in a day and not more than that.

5. Green Tea: The plant-based antioxidants in green tea improve liver function.  According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, green tea has high levels of antioxidants that help reduce body fat percentage and fat in the blood.

6. Leafy vegetables: High in chlorophyll, green leafy vegetables flush out the toxins from our bloodstream. They can neutralize heavy metals to protect the liver. Add more greens like palak (spinach), green peas, okra, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc. to your diet. 

7. Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits boost the liver's cleansing ability, the detoxifying enzymes present in citrus fruits improve the liver's health and functionality. 

8. Turmeric: Turmeric is an excellent spice, which reduces the amount of radical damage in our liver. Turmeric helps in metabolizing fats and the production of bile juice, which acts as a natural detoxifier for our liver.

9. Beetroot: A good source for vitamin C, beetroot stimulates bile and boost enzymatic activity, just like citrus fruits. The best way to consume beetroot is to chop them and toss them in your salad or juice them and mix it in your vegetable soup or juice.
 
Eat these foods regularly to keep your liver healthy, especially when they are in season. Have a happy and healthy liver.

No comments:

Post a Comment