It's by far the best diet plan to maintain a healthy liver

All you eat or drink goes through the liver, then through the intestines for digestion. Therefore, excessive consumption of certain unhealthy foods and beverages can easily damage the liver.

A damaged liver can lead to many diseases such as fatty liver, cirrhosis and even liver cancer.

The human liver is the largest internal organ that performs several essential tasks. The liver filters and cleans the blood of the digestive tract through the rest of the body. It also metabolizes chemicals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also secretes bile juice to aid digestion, breaking down toxins resulting from alcohol, drugs and metabolism. All you eat or drink goes through the liver, then through the intestines for digestion. Therefore, excessive consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages can easily damage the liver. A damaged liver can lead to many diseases such as fatty liver, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Some healthy, nutritious foods can help maintain a healthy liver. Let us discover what these foods are.

Read also: The 4 main reasons for a non-alcoholic fatty liver in children

Best foods for the liver:

1. Almonds

Healthy nuts and especially almonds are helpful for a healthy liver. They are rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Almonds help the liver eliminate bad cholesterol from the body and lower blood pressure. In addition, they protect the liver against any fatty liver disease.

2 eggs

One of the healthiest foods on the planet Eggs are rich in nine essential amino acids. In addition to amino acids, they also contain choline, which is also an essential nutrient. The amino acids and choline found in eggs help the liver in the process of detoxification and improve metabolism.

Amino acids and choline in eggs help the liver in the process of detoxification and improve metabolism.
Photo credit: iStock

3. Lawyer

Avocados have healthy fats and are rich in fiber, which also help with weight management. Glutathione is a compound produced by avocados that helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body.

4. green tea

Green tea is full of antioxidant compounds called catechins. If taken in moderation, it helps liver function and also protects the liver from the harmful effects of toxins such as alcohol. Regular consumption of green tea blocks the amount of fat stored in the liver, further reducing the risk of fatty liver.

5. garlic

Garlic consumption activates enzymes that help the body get rid of harmful toxins. It is also rich in allicin and selenium that help cleanse the liver.

Read also: Liver transplants: 7 things to know about liver transplants

The worst foods for the liver:

1. Alcohol

Yet another reason to stop consuming alcohol. An excessive amount of alcohol can be extremely harmful to the liver because it blocks the proper absorption of nutrients and makes it toxic. When the liver breaks down alcohol, the resulting chemical reaction damages its cells, resulting in inflammation.

2. sweet foods

The liver converts sugar into fat. Excessive storage of fat in the liver can be harmful to the liver as it can cause fatty liver disease. Desserts, sweets, chocolates and baked goods should be consumed in moderation.

3. fatty foods

Foods high in calories and fat such as hamburgers, fries and pizzas are high in saturated fats, which can lead to inflammation over time. Regular consumption of these foods can cause cirrhosis and complicate the liver. They can also increase bad cholesterol and reduce levels of good cholesterol.

Foods high in calories and fat such as hamburgers, fries and pizzas are high in saturated fats, which can lead to inflammation over time.
Photo credit: iStock

4. salty foods

Canned soups, packaged and processed foods are loaded with sodium. This leads to the retention of excess fluid in the liver and can inhibit its functioning.

Read also: 5 natural ways to fight against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Disclaimer: This content, including tips, provides generic information only. This is by no means a substitute for qualified medical advice. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim any responsibility for this information.