The 10 best green foods for your liver

By Nutrition Consultant Jessah Robinson

The liver is a powerful organ that has many important roles in our body such as manufacturing many essential proteins, hormones and fluids, eliminating toxins, regulating fat and protein metabolism, storing important vitamins and minerals, filtering our blood to get rid of any unhealthy cells, regulating hormones and protecting our immune system. Because the liver carries out all these important roles, if your liver is not functionally optimally you will notice many symptoms arise such as digestive issues, unpleasant mood changes, headaches, high blood pressure, unstable blood sugar levels and you are more likely to suffer from gallstones.

To support the liver as best you can, we recommend incorporating these liver cleansing foods into your diet:

1. Broccoli

Like other cruciferous vegetables, it’s bright green colour is an indication of its high antioxidant properties and chlorophyll content. Broccoli is also naturally high in fibre to help cleanse the body from carcinogens and other toxins and support healthy bowel elimination. Broccoli is also a great source of vitamin E, which is a particularly important liver antioxidant.

2. Avocadoes

Are a rich source of glutathione; the body’s most potent antioxidant. Glutathione also happens to be a specific liver nutrient that is required by our liver to filter out harmful substances. Studies have shown that having half an avocado a day for 30 days can repair a damaged liver.

3. Cabbage

A cruciferous vegetable that is rich in vital phytonutrients which help your liver to neutralise chemicals, pesticides, drugs, carcinogens and heavy metals. Good cabbage foods to include in your diet are kimchi, coleslaw and sauerkraut.

4. Spinach

A leafy green vegetable that can be consumed raw, cooked or in a juice. It is an extremely rich source of chlorophyll and has the ability to soak up environmental toxins from the blood stream. Spinach increases the stimulate and flow of bile; the substance that is required for the essential absorption of dietary fats.

5. Limes

Citrus fruits are a very good source of vitamin C which aids the body in converting fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to be eliminated from the body. Drinking water first thing in the morning with a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon helps to stimulate the liver and aid digestion.

6. Kale

A powerful brassica vegetable that is high in sulphur, which supports the liver during the two phases of detoxification, and prompts it to eliminate free radicals and other toxic chemicals. Kale reduces inflammation throughout the body which is especially valuable to those with chronic liver issues as liver inflammation can lead to liver cell damage.

7. Cold-pressed olive oil

Cold pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are excellent for the liver and are also a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. They aid liver function by providing a lipid base to absorb harmful toxins in the body, therefore taking some of the workload away from the liver.

8. Apples

Are a rich source of pectin, the soluble fibre to help cleanse and eliminate toxins and cholesterol from the digestive tract. This action makes it easier for the liver to handle the pressure of toxic load. In particular, Granny Smith apples are especially high in malic acid, a nutrient that is required for the removal of carcinogens and other toxins in the blood.

9. Green tea

Although it is not technically a food, it’s definitely worth mentioning as it is loaded with plant-based antioxidants called catechins – compounds that are proven to aid liver function, and protect the liver from the effects of liver-toxic substances such as alcohol. To gain its health benefits it’s recommended to have four to five cups a day.

10. Artichokes

Contain the two phytonutrients; cynarin and silymarin, which have proven to help nourish the liver, increase the production of bile and prevent the formation of gallstones.

With all of the toxins in use through-out the world today it is imperative that you take care of the liver which is your body’s great protector. Choose a liver tonic that combines the clinically proven dose of St Mary’s thistle with B group vitamins, antioxidants and sulfur rich amino acids. A good liver tonic can promote repair of damaged liver cells and facilitate the fat burning and detoxification abilities of the liver.