The liver is an important organ in our body for detoxification and metabolism. When the liver has problems, our overall health is often affected. Therefore, in daily life, we need to pay attention to protecting and caring for our liver. However, liver protection is not a simple matter. Some people often have misconceptions about liver protection, thinking that eating wolfberries or dandelions can protect the liver. However, it may not be effective. So, what are the real champions for liver protection in terms of food? Let’s find out together.
Generally speaking, wolfberries and dandelions do have some benefits for liver health. Drinking some wolfberry water appropriately in daily life can improve the intake of vitamins needed by our body, promote liver repair, and enhance liver function. Dandelion water can help alleviate some situations of excessive liver fire. Long-term excessive liver fire can lead to liver dryness, causing certain diseases. Dandelion, as a cooling food, can help reduce liver fire effectively.
Although these two foods can benefit our liver health, wolfberries are considered warm-natured foods. If not taken in moderation during supplements, it may lead to excessive body heat, which is not suitable for those with excessive liver fire. Dandelions, on the other hand, are cooling foods. Excessive consumption may weaken the spleen and stomach. For women, it may even cause dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. Therefore, today’s protagonists are not them but the true “liver care champions.”
Pig blood is a commonly consumed food in our daily lives. It contains a considerable amount of iron elements, which are helpful for liver health. It can also alleviate iron-deficiency anemia. Eating pig blood appropriately can aid in detoxification, relieve liver pressure, and hence, it is advisable to incorporate it into our diet more often.
Additionally, consuming some sour plums is beneficial for liver care. This is because sour plums contain a certain amount of anthocyanins. When these enter our body, they can alleviate internal oxidative stress, promote detoxification in the liver, and reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. However, as sour plums are acidic foods, it’s recommended not to consume them excessively to avoid impacting gastrointestinal health, leading to excess stomach acid and gastric mucosa irritation.
Moreover, consuming some bitter gourd regularly is beneficial. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, bitter gourd can promote liver energy flow and accelerate liver metabolism. It’s a helpful food for liver protection. Bitter gourd is also rich in nutrients beyond liver benefits. Consuming it in moderation can help lower blood sugar levels, aid in weight loss, reduce fat, and lower the risk of fatty liver.
It’s recommended to infuse water with kudzu root for consumption. For individuals who are accustomed to a diet rich in fatty foods, excessive fat accumulation in the body, especially around the liver area, can lead to fatty liver disease. Drinking kudzu root water can lower the risk of fatty liver disease by boosting metabolic activity in the liver and aiding the body in metabolizing fats.
For individuals who consume alcohol frequently, alcohol can cause harm to the liver when metabolized. It is advised to drink kudzu root water regularly as it helps mitigate the negative effects of alcohol on the liver, acting as a natural antidote and reducing liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.
Include more carrots in your diet as they are rich in vitamin A, which protects liver health and has anti-cancer properties. Other foods high in vitamin A, such as spinach and dairy products, should also be consumed regularly. Vitamin B-rich foods should also be consumed more frequently. Although vitamin B may not prevent liver cancer like vitamin A, it can prevent fatty liver to some extent and enhance our body’s ability to resist alcohol, lowering the damage caused by alcohol consumption on the liver. Common vitamin B-rich foods include mushrooms.
Moreover, it’s advised to consume sugary foods in moderation. While many people believe that sugar has adverse effects on health, it actually plays a role in liver health. Sugar, when processed in the body, forms liver glycogen, which helps combat the harmful effects of toxins and impurities on liver cells. Therefore, it’s recommended to consume more sugary staple foods or honey selectively for your liver health.
