The best foods for your liver

Your liver controls most chemical levels in the blood and releases a product called bile. Bile helps carry away waste and breaks down fats in the small intestine during digestion. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines pass through the liver. The liver then processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates nutrients for the body to use.

The liver also: 

• Stores and releases glucose as needed.
• Stores iron.
• Produces cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body.
• Clears the blood of drugs and other harmful substances.
• Regulates blood clotting.
• Resists infections by producing immune factors and removes bacteria from the bloodstream.

When the liver has broken down harmful substances, they’re released into the bile or blood. Bile byproducts enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in the faeces (poo).

Blood byproducts are filtered out by the kidneys and leave the body in the form of urine.To keep your liver healthy, you need to eat the right foods. 

Avocado

Avos are rich in fibre and packed with healthy fat content. They produce a powerful antioxidant called glutathione that helps with the removal of harmful toxins from the body.

Garlic

Garlic helps your liver activate enzymes to flush out toxins. It also has allicin and selenium that assist the liver to detoxify. 

Apples

Apples have high levels of the chemical pectin. This substance helps the body cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. 

Grapefruit

This fruit is packed with Vitamin C and other antioxidants that protect your liver. They help reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage.

Grapes

Studies show that grapes and grapeseed extract protect the liver from damage, while also increasing antioxidant levels and fighting inflammation.

Fatty fish

Fatty fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. They’re healthy fats that reduce inflammation and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, blood pressure, and work to improve other cardiovascular risk factors. 

Vegetables

Veggies like broccoli and cauliflower contain glucosinolate, which helps the liver make detoxifying enzymes. They also have sulphur compounds that help with liver health. Leafy vegetables contain good amounts of chlorophyll to help filter toxins out of the bloodstream and neutralise heavy metals to protect the liver.

Garlic

Garlic has selenium, a mineral that helps to detoxify the liver. It can also activate liver enzymes that helps your body flush out toxins naturally.