The liver is responsible for some of the core metabolic functions in our body: taking on the toxins in the blood and converting them into waste material your body can flush out and cleansing your blood, and metabolising nutrients and medications to provide the body with some of its most important proteins. In today’s day and age though, our liver has to take more load than anytime in history as we increasingly move towards adapting sedentary lifestyles. With all these ultra processed food and toxins in the environment entering our body, there’s an incentive in consciously trying and detoxifying the liver. And often, when it is about the liver, we tend to focus more on healthier food, however, there are some healthy drinks you can add to your diet to cleanse the liver.
Five Drinks To Cleanse Your Liver
Dr Shoibalini Karmokar, General Physician and Founder Aceso Mumbai, suggests five drinks that may help and cleanse your liver:
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Peppermint Tea
Compounds like menthol found in peppermint have been shown in studies to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help shield the liver from toxins. “According to research, peppermint oil can have anti-fibrotic properties, which could help avoid or lessen liver fibrosis, a disorder in which the liver becomes inflamed with scar tissue,” Dr Karmokar says.
Oat Tea
According to a study, oat tea, which is made from oats (Avena sativa), has demonstrated potential advantages for liver health, especially in lowering liver damage and raising liver enzyme levels. “Oat extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that can help shield the liver from harm, such as that caused by alcohol and LPS,” Dr Karmokar adds.
Amla Juice
“Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, amla juice, which is made from the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is good for liver health,” Dr Karmokar adds. According to research, it can lower inflammation, enhance liver function generally, and guard against toxins that could harm the liver.
Coconut Water
According to a number of studies, coconut water can help liver health in a number of ways, such as by lowering inflammation, preventing oxidative stress, and possibly enhancing lipid profiles. These benefits are ascribed to the bioactive substances and electrolytes found in coconut water, which can lessen liver damage brought on by pollutants or other stressors.
Ginger And Mint Tea
Because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, ginger and mint tea can help to improve liver function and lessen liver damage. Ginger can help lower triglycerides and cholesterol, which are linked to fatty liver disease, but more research is required, especially human clinical trials. Because of its menthol content, mint can also have these effects. Ginger has also demonstrated promise in lowering oxidative stress and shielding the liver from harm caused by hepatotoxic substances.
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Early Signs of Liver Damage
According to Dr Shoibalini Karmokar symptoms of liver damage are not always visible or palpable. If liver disease symptoms are present, they could include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. pain and swelling in the abdomen)
- Ankle and leg swelling
- Skin itching
- Darker urine
- Pale stool
- Persistent fatigue
- Vomiting or feeling queasy
- Appetite loss
- Easily bruised
Bottomline
According to the National Medical Journal of India, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is thought to affect about 38% of adults in India. This indicates that a troubling portion of the population suffers from this illness, which is frequently connected to lifestyle choices like nutrition and exercise. Although some of the dietary and environmental factors are beyond our control, especially in this day and age, taking proper care of your liver health becomes even more important. And by adding healthier choices in food, drinking healthy fluids and regular exercising can help detoxify the liver and make it more efficient and healthier.