March 18 is the annual “National Liver Love Day”. The human body’s metabolism, digestion, immunity, detoxification, and coagulation are all inseparable from the liver. Once the liver “strikes”, the consequences are very serious, so it is very important to protect the liver.
What are the foods that are good for the liver
1. Coffee, Tea
The protection of coffee for the liver lies init can drive away harmful substances deposited in the liver, and the rich antioxidant chlorogenic acid can also resist inflammation and oxidation, and reduce the risk of liver disease; black Tea and green tea are also rich in antioxidants, which can improve liver enzymes and fat levels, and daily tea consumption can reduce the risk of liver cancer.
2. Fruit
For example, blueberries, grapes, bananas.
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, an antioxidant that protects the liver from injury; purple and red grapes, grapes and grape juice, all contain resveratrol, which can reduce inflammation, enhance antioxidant capacity, prevent Liver damage; Bananas are high-nutrition, low-calorie foods, rich in protein, potassium and various vitamins, which have the functions of repairing damaged liver cells, promoting metabolism, and regulating immunity.
3. Tomatoes, green vegetables
Tomatoes are low in sugar, low in calories and rich in vitamin C, which can prevent toxins from damaging liver cells; green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, and mustard greens can enhance the detoxification function of the liver, protect the liver, and improve the liver enzyme levels.
4. Nuts, dried fruits and others
Nuts are rich in fat and nutrients, as well as antioxidant vitamin E, which can improve liver enzyme levels; lily contains colchicine, which has anti-hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis effects; jujube is rich in protein, fat, and sugar , carotene B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin P and phosphorus, calcium, iron, etc., are good for acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis.
Also, consuming 6.5ml of olive oil per day can help improve liver enzymes and fat levels.
Of course, the nutrients in the above foods are good for the liver, but it can’t be said to only eat these things. We can appropriately add “liver-protecting” foods on the basis of balanced nutrition.
To protect the liver, you have to do this
1. Quit alcohol, quit smoking
Alcohol requires the liver to metabolize it into harmless water and carbon dioxide, and the acetaldehyde produced in the process can harm your liver. Long-term alcohol addiction will lightly increase our liver enzymes (also known as transaminases), and seriously damage liver cells, resulting in alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and eventually liver cancer.
The nicotine in tobacco is related to the occurrence of various cancers, and of course it is also related to the occurrence of liver cancer.
2. Don’t stay up late
Staying up late will disturb the body’s circadian rhythm and affect the function of liver metabolism.
3. Don’t take drugs indiscriminately
Most of the drugs need the liver to metabolize. If you take the drugs without asking the doctor, the liver will be very “uncomfortable”.
4. Light diet
Eat less fried foods or foods with high fat content, the liver can’t digest so much fat and it will grow into fatty liver.
5. Exercise more
6. Be happy
People who are always angry are prone to endocrine disorders, and the liver will also “get angry”.
7. Vaccinations
In addition to unhealthy living habits and diet, infection with hepatitis A, hepatitis B and other hepatitis viruses can also cause serious liver damage. Liver protection should also be vaccinated against hepatitis.
People’s Health Publishing House published “Doctor’s Advice – Words from the Heart of Hundreds of Experts”
The author of this article: Xia Zhiwei, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital