10 Foods That Boost Liver Function & Help Detox Your Body

The liver has a number of important functions. It’s responsible for storing iron and vitamins in the body, it converts stored sugar to usable sugar when the body needs it, and it detoxes the blood to help rid the body of harmful substances. Each and every day we are affected by harmful substances. Some are environmental, such as toxic air, while others come from the substances we put in our bodies, such as alcohol or pesticides from food. That’s why the liver’s detoxification process is so important. Eating some liver-boosting foods can help lighten the load for your filtering friend and clear your body of the harmful substances that are weighing you down.

Here are 10 foods that boost liver function and help detox your body:

1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in a protein known as glutathione, which helps detoxify the liver. The lycopene in tomatoes also helps protect the body against breast, skin and lung cancer.

2. Grapefruit
Grapefruit also contains the liver-cleansing protein glutathione. It’s also rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants that boost the production of liver detoxification enzymes, to increase the liver’s natural cleansing process.

3. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like lemon and lime contain high amounts of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for stimulating the liver and synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water.

4. Turmeric
Turmeric is the best spice you can consume when it comes to your liver health. It helps boost the liver’s detoxification process by aiding enzymes that actively flush out carcinogens in the body.

5. Apples
Apples contain high amounts of pectin, which helps cleanse the liver and release toxins in the digestive tract. Consuming apples helps the liver handle toxins during the detox process.

6. Garlic
Garlic is rich in two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing – allicin and selenium. It’s also laded with sulfer, which helps activate the liver enzymes that flush out toxins.

7. Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables contain plant chlorophyll, which has many health benefits when it comes to liver health. It increases bile production and helps to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides in the body.

8. Olive Oil
Olive oil, along with other cold-pressed organic oils such as help and flax seed, naturally support the liver. They serve as a liquid base to help the body suck up harmful toxins.

9. Alternative Grains
Grains that are rich in gluten, such as wheat, flour and other whole grains, put added pressure on the liver. Switching to alternative grains such as quinoa, millet and buckwheat can help lighten the liver’s load when it comes to the detox process.

10. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts contain an antioxidant known as glucosinolate, which forces the liver to release enzymes that help protect the body from both environmental and dietary toxins. They’re also high in sulfer.