Five Foods Your Liver Needs Most

Introduction: The liver is the largest detoxification organ in the human body. A healthy liver can prevent troubles such as belching, bloating, and constipation, and also plays an important role in regulating blood sugar. Recently, the American "Rodale" website published an article introducing the following types of foods that the liver loves.

Cruciferous vegetables. Containing various phytonutrients, flavonoids, carotenoids, sulforaphane, and indoles, they can comprehensively help the liver break down various chemical toxins and carcinogens. Common cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, and white radish.

Seaweed. Seaweeds such as kelp and nori can help the liver detoxify and prevent the human body from absorbing toxic heavy metals like cadmium and other environmental toxins. A study by McGill University in Canada found that compounds in brown algae can reduce the absorption of radioactive particles by bones.

Stir-fried Broccoli with Shrimp

Sprouts. Bean sprouts are rich in various enzymes that can promote the breakdown and absorption of protein.

Foods rich in sulfur compounds. Vegetables rich in sulfur compounds, such as onions, garlic, and chives, can promote the liver's production of glutathione, neutralize free radicals in cells, and play a detoxifying and anti-aging role.

Berries. Berries such as blueberries and strawberries are rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins and polyphenols, have strong antioxidant effects, and can help the liver protect human cells from attacks by free radicals and oxidative stress.

Bok Choy and Tofu Stew

9 Bad Habits That Damage the Liver

1. Insufficient sleep. Nowadays, many people have the habit of working or entertaining at night, but staying up late most easily leads to liver disease. The reason is that during sleep, the body enters a self-repair mode. Staying up late often leads to insufficient sleep, a weakened immune system, and affects the liver's self-repair at night. For people already infected with hepatitis virus, staying up late can also worsen the condition. Neil Collin, an expert from the American Sleep Association, said that "night owls" should try to adjust their schedules and try to be asleep before 11 PM every night, ensuring 7-8 hours of sleep to allow the liver to effectively detoxify and ensure overall health.

2. Not urinating promptly after waking up in the morning. Dr. Daniel Paradi, an expert from the European Liver Research Association, stated that the body's detoxification can be achieved through urination, sweating, and bowel movements. Urinating as soon as possible after waking up in the morning can promptly expel the toxins accumulated throughout the night, avoiding toxin retention in the body and causing "poisoning" of the liver.

Kelp with Vermicelli

3. Overeating. Many people know that eating too much increases the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and induces fatty liver. Dr. Paradi pointed out that overeating not only damages gastrointestinal health but also easily causes a significant increase in free radicals in the body. The key role of the liver is to help the body deal with free radicals, eliminate toxins, and purify the blood. The more free radicals in the body, the more severe the liver function damage.

4. Skipping breakfast. Nutrition experts say that eating breakfast helps neutralize stomach acid and protect the liver, reducing the risk of many diseases such as pancreatitis, diabetes, gallstones, and constipation. Dr. Hermet Suri, a holistic nutritionist from Ontario, Canada, said that a healthy breakfast can prolong the feeling of fullness and avoid liver damage.

5. Taking too many medications. A study published in the "Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" in the UK stated that long-term use of drugs such as painkillers increases the liver's detoxification burden and causes liver damage. Dr. Kenneth Simpson, an expert at the Royal Hospital of Edinburgh, UK, and head of the new research, said that many drugs and their metabolites can easily cause liver damage, leading to drug-induced hepatitis (abbreviated as "drug liver"). These drugs include antibiotics, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, sedatives, antithyroid drugs, antitumor drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, and cardiovascular drugs. Therefore, medication must be strictly followed according to medical advice and taken under the guidance of a doctor.

Nori and Pumpkin Dumpling Noodles

6. Excessive intake of processed foods. Dr. Hidayet Zara Hussain, a registered nutrition therapist in India, stated that many processed foods contain various food additives such as preservatives, colorings, and artificial sweeteners. These added ingredients contain many chemicals that are difficult for the human body to break down, which increase the liver's detoxification burden after entering the body and induce liver damage.

7. A preference for fried foods. A study reported by CBS found that eating fried foods for just one month can cause significant changes in the liver, leading to changes in enzymes similar to hepatitis. Dr. Drew Ordon, a famous American medical expert, pointed out that the accumulation of oil and saturated fatty acids can lead to fatty liver. Unhealthy cooking oils increase the risk of heart and liver disease. In comparison, olive oil and sesame oil are healthier.

Cold-dressed Mung Bean Sprouts

8. Eating undercooked or burnt food. Dr. Hussain stated that undercooked food or burnt food (especially meat) that is overcooked can also easily lead to liver damage. Studies have found that drunken shrimp, raw oysters, and undercooked shellfish often carry bacteria and parasites. Once acute gastroenteritis or dysentery occurs, it can easily worsen liver disease and even induce hepatic coma.

9. Excessive drinking. Dr. Nimmo Ash, a liver expert at the Zev Medical Research Center in Israel, stated that excessive drinking reduces the liver's ability to purify the blood, leading to an increase of toxins in the body and inducing liver damage and various diseases. In addition, excessive drinking can easily lead to liver poisoning and induce hepatitis. Long-term excessive drinking can easily lead to cirrhosis. Dr. Ash said that drinking more than two glasses (25 ml) of high-concentration alcohol per day can damage the liver.

Blueberry and Chinese Yam Puree