7 Organic Foods To Improve Liver Function

The ‘Live’ in Liver practically signifies the importance of this largest organ in our body. To put it simply, you can not live without your liver. Present just on top of our stomach, right kidney and intestines, liver is an extremely important organ present in our body (maybe that’s why it sits on the top!).

The functions that this organ performs alone are actually endless. It has been estimated that the liver carries out at least 500 functions of our body every day!

Did you know the emotion you felt just now by reading the last sentence is also caused by your liver? Yes, that’s right, well according to Traditional Chinese Medicine that is! Traditional Chinese Medicine believed that the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions and even energy. There might be some truth to the matter as the liver is a sensitive organ that gets gravely impacted by excess emotions and stress.

The liver performs so many functions yet is the one that is most neglected. Unlike our heart we can not feel our liver working. That might be the reason we only get concerned about it when something is seriously wrong with it.

Want to know more about what this extraordinary organ does? Read more to find out!

Importance of liver

After our Brain, Liver is considered to be the most hard working organ in our body. It performs so many functions in a single day that it is quite difficult to keep a record of all its responsibilities. However, some of the major functions that the Liver performs are mentioned below:

Production of bile
Synthesis of specific proteins for blood plasma
Production and maintenance of cholesterol
Storage and excretion of glucose
Processing of hemoglobin
Clearing the blood of harmful substances like drugs
Regulating blood clotting
Building immunity for resistance to infections
Clearance of bilirubin

The primary function of the liver remains to be neutralization of toxins. Hence, the proper functioning of the liver is of utmost importance. Any jinx in its working could have repercussions for the whole body. It may also lead to a total shutdown of your organs.

But how to know if your liver has a jinx? Don’t worry as your own body would tell you!

Signs you have a liver disease

Diagnosing a disease by yourself could be extremely dangerous, however, in certain situations it is better to be safe than sorry. If you showcase any of the signs mentioned below you should immediately contact your doctor.

Signs you may have a Liver Disease:

Skin and eyes that appear yellowish
Pain in abdomen and swelling
Swelling of legs and ankles
Skin Itchiness
Dark urine color
Pale stool color
Chronic fatigue
Feeling Nauseated
Loss of appetite
Tendency to bruise easily

If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to get yourself checked right away.

For an organ that performs so many functions, how can you ensure its smooth functioning? Well every website, blog, article, would tell you that a proper diet and exercise routine are the only ways to ensure the perfect liver health.

Anyone can perfect an exercise routine, but what foods should you eat to maintain the best possible liver health?

7 organic foods to improve Liver function

The greatest approach to make sure your liver is healthy and working properly is to eat organic foods. Here is a list of seven organic foods to improve your liver function.

Coffee

Did you know coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote your liver function? It has been found that people with liver disorders such as cirrhosis, fibrosis, liver cancer, and even those with poor liver health improved significantly by drinking three cups of coffee everyday.

Interestingly, scientists themselves are appalled by this discovery as they are not able to pinpoint which component in coffee helps in improving the liver. They have concluded it to be a combination of components!

If you do not like coffee you can also drink black tea. Though, black tea does not have the same level of effect as coffee, it can also help in liver function.

Grapefruit

You might not know this but grapefruit is really rich in antioxidants. The primary antioxidant that it is rich in is naringin which prevents oxidative damage in the liver. It also reduces the inflammation of your liver. Naringin has also been credited for its significance in reducing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis, both being detrimental to your liver’s health.

Grapefruit’s flavor far outweighs its characteristics! You may easily incorporate it into a salad or eat it on its own. It is truly a fantastic fruit to have in your diet.

Olive Oil

Olive oil could be an amazing addition to your diet. Olive oil has amazing qualities including and not limited to being a healthy fat. It promotes liver function by increasing your good cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is also known for its rich antioxidant property that promotes liver function by reducing inflammation.

Olive oil improves liver function by lowering oxidative stress in the liver. You can simply introduce olive oil into your diet by using it as your primary cooking oil or sprinkling it on salads and other favorite dishes of yours!

Leafy Green Vegetables

The addition of leafy green vegetables in your diet should not even be a question. You would see your life significantly improving if you add leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage, etc. into your life and your diet. These vegetables majorly impact your liver function by making it all better!

Leafy green vegetables help in increasing bile in the liver and eliminate toxins from your body. They also help in lowering your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which can reduce the risk of fatty liver disease and diabetes. You should eat at least one serving of leafy green vegetables everyday for the best benefits!

Turmeric

Turmeric can be found in every household! It’s a spice with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that can help your liver. Turmeric boosts bile production and secretion, which promotes digestion and avoids gallstones.

Turmeric also helps in the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver, which can help to prevent or treat liver illnesses like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even cancer.

You can easily add Turmeric to your diet or even start your day with a golden latte!

Beetroot

Beetroot juice is excellent for liver function and should be included in your diet without any question. It has various benefits, but its strong antioxidants make it a must-have drink for your liver.

Beetroot also has the ability to boost your liver enzymes, this in turn helps in increasing bile in your liver. Beetroot juice can actually be just renamed as ‘Liver Detoxification Juice’.

So this is your sign to include beetroot juice in your diet plan!

Grapes

Grapes are without a doubt a tasty fruit that contains antioxidants that protect the liver from damage and inflammation. The main antioxidant present in grapes is naringin, which helps in reducing fat and collagen formation in the liver, lowering hepatic enzyme levels, and preventing oxidative stress and even cell death.

Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried or consumed as juice or even wine. However, remember, moderation is key; excessive consumption of grape juice or wine can have negative effects on the liver due to their high sugar and alcohol content.

A moderate intake of grapes is about 1–2 cups per day!

The Takeaway

Liver is not only the largest organ in our body but the most important too! It is definitely the most hard working organ of the body (right after our Brain!) and hence requires extra hard efforts to ensure its smooth functioning. Consuming organic foods which are rich in antioxidants can definitely help you in achieving this smooth functioning.

But it’s also important to note any discomfort that you might be experiencing and get it checked immediately!

Remember, a healthy liver means a healthy life!!