According to WebMD – The liver has essential health functions such as secreting bile, storing energy and eliminating toxins. It is also responsible for purifying the blood and converting food into energy....CONTINUE READING
It is one of the most important organs in the body and also one of the organs that suffers most from the consequences of bad habits.
It is therefore very important to keep it in good condition, and diet plays a key role in this process.
In general, the state of the liver is usually determined by conventional analyses, which include liver indicators that show whether there are enzymatic alterations and, on occasions, an ultrasound scan may be necessary to detect diseases such as fatty liver, which is usually asymptomatic and is produced as a consequence of bad habits.
In this regard, a distinction must be made between alcoholic fatty liver, which is mainly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can be caused by overweight, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides or high blood pressure.
Best foods to cleanse the liver naturally
To avoid fatty liver disease, a number of dietary changes are essential. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests limiting fat intake, replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats, eating more foods with a low glycaemic index and avoiding foods and drinks containing large amounts of simple sugars or alcoholic beverages. In addition, there are a number of foods that help to cleanse the liver:
1. Broccoli
Vegetables are essential for liver cleansing and broccoli in particular stands out for being rich in sulphur, a perfect component for detoxifying the body. To get the most benefit from it, it should be steamed to minimise the loss of nutrients.
2. Artichoke
This food contains cynarin, a component that helps to digest fats better and to improve the functioning of the stomach. Like broccoli, it is best steamed or baked.
3. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the best vegetables for eliminating toxins from the body through urine. This is thanks to its sulphur content, an amino acid that stimulates the purification of the body.
4. Leek
Leeks are rich in sulphur compounds, which promote the detoxifying action of the liver.
5. Apple
The apple is one of the most effective fruits for cleansing the liver. It is rich in antioxidants, which neutralise free radicals, and pectin, a soluble fibre that promotes intestinal transit and the elimination of substances through the faeces.
In addition to including these foods in the diet, other guidelines should be followed, such as physical exercise to prevent fat from accumulating in this organ and drinking a minimum of 1.5 litres of water a day.
It is also essential to take only those medicines that are necessary and have been prescribed by a specialist.
