Foods good for liver

A healthy liver should be one of the greatest concerns not only for people who are already ill, but for the healthy ones too. Liver is one of the most important organs in the human body and it needs to be kept in good shape, otherwise it can set off a great number of health issues, some of which are very serious.

Importance of healthy liver

Liver is an internal organ located in the thoracic region of the abdomen, below the diaphragm. It has several important functions, including production of protein and purification of blood from toxins and harmful chemicals. It plays an important role in functions like sugar storage, metabolism, synthesis of protein and breaking down of the red blood cells. In addition, liver produces bile - a liquid that is essential in digestion of fats.

Problems regarding liver can lead to all sorts of complications and health issues, from headache and fatigue to anxiety, depression, confusion, jaundice, allergies and many more.

One of the best ways to keep liver in good shape is to eat foods that contain nutrients required for boosting the liver function.

Foods for healthy liver

Generally, foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, especially vitamins C, B and E, are highly recommended for those who wish to protect their liver from damage. Fiber-rich foods are also very important because they aid the detoxification processes and help repair and rebuild liver.

Almonds are very good for liver since they contain unsaturated fats that keep cholesterol at bay and also contain fiber, riboflavin, iron and magnesium.

Beets are rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoid compounds, and they repair the damage brought to liver by free radicals.

Berries, especially blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, currants and blackberries, are recommended not only for a healthy liver but for a healthy urinary tract too.

As for the vegetables, the ones that are the best for liver belong to the cruciferous group, which includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and similar. These vegetables are full of fiber and they provide large amounts of antioxidants, which aid the production of enzymes in liver that participate in detoxification and digestion.

Garlic, which contains allicin, is a natural liver purifier. It helps the liver in eliminating heavy metals, excess hormones and even nitrogen.

Oats and oatmeal are also great sources of fiber, which is necessary in regulation of cholesterol levels.

It is also very important to include enough sources of omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna, mackerel, swordfish, sardines, trout and similar.

Soybeans and soy products are beneficial for a number of organs and functions and liver is just one of them. Soy contains components that maintain the normal morphology and function of liver cells and thus prevent damage.