10 Foods That Help Your Liver

Liver function is important for overall health. The role of the liver is to regulate the chemical functions of what you put in your body, processing the nutrients that go through it. As the liver regulates chemical functions, it will produce bile as a product to be flushed out through the digestive system. 

When a liver is overstimulated by too much fat and sugar, the body runs into issues when processing them. Alcohol and fatty diets in particular are very hard on the liver and can be detrimental to liver health over time. Several foods help with liver function and are even used in liver medications, according to researchers Guan and He in their article Plants Consumption and Liver Health. 

#1. Beets

Beets contain special chemicals called betaine and choleretic. Betaine is a chemical that helps the liver to process certain proteins. Choleretic is a substance that will increase bile production, helping the liver to process nutrients and make bile more efficiently. Beets are also great for helping with blood pressure and improving athletic performance and digestive health. 

#2. Broccoli

Broccoli has diindolylmethane and glucoraphanin. They each help the liver function by maintaining strength against viruses and even against liver cancers. Broccoli also contains antioxidants, helps with blood sugar control, reduces inflammation, supports heart health, and supports digestion. 

#3. Kale

Kale contains a group of resins that help the body lower cholesterol and fat. This helps the liver and avoids fatty liver diseases. Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, containing a myriad of vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. Kale can help lower cholesterol, promote heart health, and even help prevent certain cancers. 

#4. Sweet Potato

Sweet potato contains beta carotene and fiber to help lessen any potential liver injury. This can help prevent or aid liver injury. Sweet potatoes are great for helping with overall gut health and can also help with digestion. Sweet potatoes are also high in antioxidants, which help prevent certain types of cancers. Another odd benefit of sweet potatoes is that they can help eyesight as well as brain functioning. 

#5. Cabbage

Cabbage contains glucosinolates. This helps the liver counter any alcohol it processes, thus helping with hangovers. For those who have struggled with alcohol addiction, cabbage is a huge benefit for a damaged liver. Cabbage helps with inflammation, is packed with vitamin C, and can even help to lower blood pressure. 

#6. Barley

Barley contains caffeic acid, as well as p-coumaric acid. Both of these play a part in preventing fatty liver. Barley also reduces hunger and can help people lose weight. Barley has a lot of fiber to help with digestion and can help lower cholesterol. 

#7. Avocado

Avocados contain adiponectin, which helps with hypolipidemic activity, meaning that it can help counter a decrease of lipids in the blood. Avocados contain a lot of potassium, heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Avocados can also help with cardiovascular health, and lower cholesterol. 

#8. Lemon

Lemons contain naringin and citric acid. These help decrease liver damage when presented with an injury. Lemons support heart health, can help control weight, help aid digestion, and help prevent kidney stones. Lemons can also help reduce cancer risk. 

#9. Banana

Bananas contain pectin, which helps the liver with relieving symptoms of cirrhosis. Bananas are also a well-known source of potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin C. They help to improve digestive health, heart health, support kidney health, and even help with weight loss. 

#10. Wheat

Wheat contains alkylresorcinols and ferulic acid. These help increase lipid metabolism. Wheat is high in nutrients and fiber, aiding digestion and overall health. Those looking to boost energy levels may find help from wheat, among other whole grain foods. Wheat can also help cardiovascular health, and weight loss. 

The Importance of Healthy Foods and Liver Function

The liver functions best when presented with healthy, unprocessed foods. Though it is easy to grab the quick, processed foods, taking the time to cook your own meals ensures that you know everything that is going in it. This means that your liver is not working overtime to process unnatural ingredients or copious amounts of sugar or sodium. 

For the full list of foods that help your liver, check out this list of foods. The ingredients in this list are used in liver medications. There are more than ten foods to eat for liver health, and you can try them all. 

For those who have struggled with addiction, particularly alcohol abuse, your liver might not be running at its best. That’s okay. It’s hard to make significant changes to one’s diet, and it can be difficult to heal a liver that has been stressed to its max. Eating a liver-friendly diet with fresh foods and natural ingredients can help with liver functions as you recover. If you need a little help with treatment or recovery, call us at RECO Intensive. At RECO Intensive, we understand that bodily functions we take for granted can be stressed out to the point where your health may be at stake. If you’ve struggled with addiction and been told by a doctor that your body may fail from it, you know the stress and anxiety it brings. We want to assist you to help you end your addictive habits. Call us today at (561) 464-6533. Let’s get back to a brighter future.