This is a sponsored guest post.
Did you know that the prevalence of liver diseases has been steadily increasing throughout the years?
And that about 5 to 10 percent of the general population is at some point affected by a disease of the liver?
Clearly, we could be doing a lot more to take better care of our livers. But what can you really do to improve the health of your liver? We all know that exercise and eating well helps improve your heart health, but what about the liver?
The truth is, there are many simple things you can do to improve its health.
Check out this guide to learn the top ways to do so.
1. Eat the Right Foods
Improving your liver health all starts with eating the right foods. What foods should you be eating, exactly?
Here are some of the best foods for your liver:
- Coffee: Good news for caffeine lovers, studies show that drinking coffee lowers your risk of permanent liver damage and liver cancer.
- Tea: Green tea is particularly good for your liver health.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit contains antioxidants that naturally protect the liver.
- Cranberries, blueberries, and grapes
- Prickly Pear: This is a type of edible cactus. In addition to improving your liver health, it can also help with hangovers.
- Beetroot juice
- Cruciferous vegetables: Such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, and mustard greens
- Nuts
- Fatty fish
- Olive oil
As you can see, most of these foods and beverages can be easily purchased at your grocery store and are easy to incorporate into your everyday diet.
2. Consider a Cleanse
A cleanse can also be a great way to improve your liver.
A liver cleanse is an alternative medicine practice that involves fasting followed by the ingestion of some type of liquid.
While the exact liquid varies, it often involves grapefruit, olive oil, and Epsom salt. Doing one of these cleanses can help remove toxins and impurities from the body.
However, it’s very important that you do a liver cleanse safely and that you choose the right type of beverage to consume for cleansing your liver.
Do your research on the different options out there, and be sure to consult with your doctor before starting your cleanse.
3. Use Alcohol Responsibly and Avoid Illicit Drugs
It’s no secret that drinking alcohol can cause serious damage to your liver.
Alcohol can actually destroy liver cells and scar your liver. Therefore, it’s very important to drink alcohol in moderation and to talk to your doctor about what amount of alcohol is right for you.
Also, you should avoid the use of illicit drugs at all costs. Illicit drugs include cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants.
4. Get Regular Exercise and Maintain a Healthy Weight
We often associate exercise with heart health; however, exercising is great for your liver as well.
This is because exercising can help burn triglycerides that your body can use for fuel, and it can help reduce liver fat.
So, make sure you are exercising on a regular basis and doing what you can to maintain a healthy weight. While it differs from person to person, it’s generally recommended that adults should do 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. That’s just 30 minutes per day of brisk walking or cycling.
So, there you have it! By doing the things listed above, you’ll be well on your way to having a healthy liver for life. If you have any questions about how to improve your liver health, be sure to drop us a comment below.
