Regarded as the powerhouse of the human body, the liver performs a variety of essential tasks, ranging from producing bile, cholesterol and protein to storing vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. If you want your liver to function at its best, you need to keep it in good shape and health. In this article, you’ll find the best and worst foods for your liver.
12) Oatmeal
Eating foods packed with fiber like oatmeal is one way of keeping your liver working at its best. Various studies have shown that eating oatmeal can help you lose pounds and belly fat, which is a great way of preventing liver diseases.
11) Veggies
Adding lots of veggies to your diet will be beneficial to your liver. Broccoli has been proven to prevent buildup of fat in the liver. Other greens like kale, Brussels sprouts and spinach also help in general weight loss, which is good for the liver.
10) Tofu
A study on rats in the University of Illinois has found that soy protein commonly found in tofu can also reduce fat buildup in the liver. Additionally, tofu is low fat and packs a lot of protein.
9) Fish
Fatty fish like sardines, salmon, trout and tuna are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which has been proven to improve liver fat levels and decrease inflammation.
8) Coffee
Various studies have shown that fatty liver disease sufferers who drink coffee have less liver damage than those who avoid the caffeinated drink. It turns out that caffeine helps lower the abnormal liver enzymes of people with liver diseases.
7) Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in nutrients called polyphenols which can help protect you against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
6) Herbs And Spices
Another delicious way of helping your liver and heart is by consuming herbs and spices like oregano, rosemary or sage as they’re full of healthy polyphenols.
5) Steer clear of fatty foods.
Do your liver a favor and stay away from fatty foods like burgers and french fries. Foods that are high in saturated makes it harder for the liver to do its many functions. Continuous consumption of fatty foods may cause inflammation of the liver which can lead to liver cirrhosis.
4) Take it easy on the sugar.
Too much sweet stuff can be bad for your liver. As it’s the liver’s job to convert sugar into fat, too much consumption of sweet foods can cause your liver to produce too much fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease.
3) Put a cap on salt.
Various studies have found that consumption of diet on high in sodium can cause liver fibrosis or liver scarring. Although fibrosis itself doesn’t cause any symptoms, formation of too much scar tissue in the liver can lead to liver cirrhosis, which can cause symptoms.
2) Consume alcohol in moderation.
Too much alcohol consumption over time can lead to liver cirrhosis. Even the occasional binge drinking (4 drinks in one sitting if you’re a woman and 5 if you’re a man) can be damaging to your liver. If you must drink alcohol, try to limit it to one drink a day if you’re a woman and two if you’re a man.
1) Limit your consumption of packaged snack foods.
Packaged food are bad news for your liver since they’re loaded with sugar and salt. Try reaching for a bowl of blueberries or an apple instead of those harmful junk foods if you’re hungry for some snack.
