11 foods to help cleanse the liver
With age, harmful substances accumulate in the human body. We get them from food and water, by inhaling polluted air, taking medications, using household chemicals and cosmetics. A significant part of toxins is deposited in the liver, the main function of which is the constant purification of the blood. This organ starts to "junk" like any clogged filter, and its efficiency decreases.
A clogged liver usually results in a general deterioration in well-being. Immunity decreases, sleep is disturbed, a feeling of constant fatigue and apathy appears. Intoxication is not reflected in the best way on the appearance: dark circles appear under the eyes, the skin acquires an unhealthy grayish-yellow tint. Hair becomes dull and nails brittle. There is a loss of activity and interest in life.
Obviously, the liver needs to be cleaned periodically. All cleansing methods are based on the idea of activating the process of bile secretion and removing accumulated toxins. However, the implementation of this principle can be different. Aggressive procedures associated with a single intake of large portions of castor or olive oil, enemas, etc., not only require preliminary preparation of the body and a certain amount of free time, but also have a fairly wide list of contraindications. In addition, the effectiveness of many of these funds is questioned by experts.
The constant inclusion in the diet of foods that help cleanse the liver does not provide a quick effect. But this method is affordable, gentle and quite acceptable even in the presence of chronic ailments. We offer a list of such products to the attention of our readers.
Walnuts
They contain arginine, which helps the liver to reduce the harmful effects of ammonia. In addition, glutathione is included in walnuts. This substance is involved in the neutralization of many toxins and is normally produced by the liver. With strong slagging, it is enough to eat two or three nuts daily to provide the body with the necessary amount of glutathione.
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Grapefruit
Most liver cleanses involve drinking lemon juice or another source of acid that acts as a choleretic. There are many organic acids in grapefruit, but its main advantage is not this, but the presence of naringenin, which stimulates the destruction of fat accumulated by the liver and normalizes glucose metabolism. There is only one inconvenience: the named flavonoid is found mainly not in the pulp of grapefruit, but in the bitter-tasting films covering the slices. However, the body requires little naringenin, so it is enough to eat one or two wedges from each fruit unpeeled.
People suffering from hypotension should use grapefruit with caution: the fruits have a pronounced hypotensive effect.
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Onion and garlic
The peculiar taste and smell of these vegetables is associated with the presence of allicin in them. This sulfur compound has an extremely beneficial effect on the liver, helps it cope with intoxication, and has bactericidal properties.
Onions contain allicin in the form of an essential oil, which is quickly absorbed by the body. In garlic, this substance is formed only when the cell walls are destroyed. Therefore, those dishes in which cloves of garlic are included in a grated, cut or crushed form are beneficial for the liver.
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Green tea
Drinking green tea helps to activate the fat burning process. The product contains catechins - natural antioxidants that help break down and remove harmful substances from the body.
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Turmeric
The yellow pigment curcumin, which is part of the spice, has anti-cancer activity, promotes the regeneration of damaged liver cells, enhances the production of bile and digestive enzymes.
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Avocado
Avocados contain natural stimulants that stimulate the liver to produce glutathione. In addition, this fruit is one of the means that helps the body get rid of excess calories.
Many people do not like avocado, but it is desirable to include it in the diet. The specific taste of the fruit can be neutralized by making a spicy snack or sauce from it.
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Whole grain oats
Raw oats contain substances with powerful choleretic and detoxifying effects. The product can be used in two ways: drinking jelly from dry grains or eating raw sprouted oats (for example, in the form of a salad seasoned with lemon juice and vegetable oil). In the second case, in addition to compounds that improve the condition of the liver, the body receives a solid dose of vitamins and biologically active substances that increase the overall tone and activate the immune system.
Eating whole oats has another significant advantage: the absence of contraindications (except for individual intolerance).
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Pumpkin
It has a pronounced choleretic and diuretic effect, promotes the regeneration of damaged hepatocytes (liver cells), prevents their death in cirrhosis and hepatitis of various origins.
To prepare a drug that cleans the liver, the top is cut off the pumpkin, the seeds are taken out and fresh honey is poured into the fruit. After ten days of holding in a warm place, the liquid is drained and put into the refrigerator. It is taken for three weeks, a tablespoon three times a day.
Pumpkin should not be used to cleanse the liver for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, gastritis or peptic ulcer disease (in the acute stage).
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Apples
Cleansing the liver in this case is provided by a combination of the choleretic effect of organic acids and the effect of pectin, which helps to bind decay products and remove them from the body. Apples are very affordable and inexpensive. The treatment has practically no contraindications. Baked apples (especially sour varieties) cooked with honey, cranberries, lingonberries or nuts are most effective on the liver.
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Olive oil
The liver cleanse method using olive oil and lemon juice is considered a classic. Unfortunately, not everyone can easily tolerate the procedure. However, it is not necessary to use bolus doses of oil. Even one tablespoon of the product taken daily on an empty stomach provides gentle, gradual cleansing.
Many people use this method continuously for several years to keep their liver healthy. No side effects of this treatment have been reported.
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Cauliflower and broccoli
Both types of cabbage contain a rich set of vitamins and other biologically active components, useful fiber, have a choleretic effect, improve the state of liver cells and optimize metabolism. Nutritionists advise eating these vegetables boiled three to four times a week. In addition, it is recommended to periodically eat raw broccoli: its heads are covered with a kind of "pollen", which contains substances that have a powerful activating effect on most metabolic processes in the body.
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Cleansing the liver involves avoiding alcohol, fried, spicy and fatty foods, as well as fast food and canned food. During the detoxification period, you should eat fractionally, taking food in small portions five to six times a day. You cannot fall asleep feeling hungry, actively engage in sports, experience serious physical and emotional stress. Then the process of cleansing the liver will bring maximum benefit and will contribute to the overall health of the body.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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