Liver Detox Foods

For many, detoxing means steering clear of alcohol for a time, be it a week, a month or longer. Prior to serious damage such as cirrhosis, the liver is one of the only organs with the ability to self-repair, meaning such a period of abstinence could have substantial long-term health benefits as the organ undoes some of the damage alcohol has caused. To get the most out of detoxing, though, make some changes to your diet as well to emphasize liver detox foods which help the cleansing process.

Nuts & Legumes

Diets are usually a matter of restriction, and that’s true for a liver detox too: alongside alcohol, you’re best advised to shelve caffeine, sugars and processed grains. The latter can be tricky for many Western diets that are heavy on breads, pasta and snacks. Enter: nuts & legumes, such as lentils and beans. Beans and lentils make a great substitute for carbohydrates in meals, and nuts provide the perfect between-meal snack. Walnuts, containing high amounts of the amino acid arginine, glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids are a particularly liver-friendly food.

Root Vegetables

Beets have a long reputation for their liver-protective properties, being high in anti-oxidants and containing a number of substances which stimulate and improve overall liver function. They are a rich source of magnesium, potassium, vitamins A & C, B vitamins, plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene. If you aren’t a fan of the taste, try juicing them together with other liver-friendly fruits and vegetables, such as carrots. Two other subterranean vegetables to include in your diet are garlic and onions.

Citrus Fruits

Freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice helps to boost the production of liver detoxification enzymes that assist in the removal of carcinogens and other toxins. Like lemon and lime juice, grapefruit is very high in vitamin C which helps the body synthesize toxins into water-soluble substances that leave the system through urine and sweat. However, if you’re taking any medication, be sure to check with your doctor before eating or drinking grapefruit as it interacts with certain drugs and can lead to serious adverse reactions.

Leafy Greens

A large amount of leafy greens like arugula, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, chicory and cabbage is an essential part of a liver cleansing diet. They are extremely high in plant chlorophylls and help to absorb environmental toxins in the blood. That can all be eaten raw, cooked or juiced, and assist bile production which removes waste from organs and blood. Another group of vegetables to load up on are cruciferous ones like broccoli and cauliflower.

Other Tips

Substitute green tea for whatever caffeine drink you’ve given up – although it also contains caffeine it contains far less than coffee and black tea (cup for cup, your caffeine intake will decrease by about 70% if you substitute green tea for coffee). It’s also very high in catechins, antioxidants which assist liver function.
When it comes to cooking, use olive oil over other oils or fats though still in moderation: it can help reduce the toxic burden on the liver and protect it from oxidative stress. Still in the kitchen, your new favorite spice should be turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties and a clinical track record of greatly assisting liver function and slowing the development of liver disease.