Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and limiting alcohol consumption help maintain a healthy liver. Also, the consumption of fruits could help to preserve the health of your liver.
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is located in the upper right part of the abdominal cavity, below the diaphragm and above the stomach, the right kidney and the intestines.
In addition, the liver performs many essential functions in the body, including:
- Bile production that helps transport waste and break down fats.
- Formation of certain proteins for the blood.
- Debugging of drugs and other toxic substances from the blood.
- Fight infections and eliminate bacteria from the bloodstream.
- Restore the balance of the organism.
However, liver health can be compromised by many factors, including: unbalanced diets or overfeeding, as well as sedentary lifestyles. Next, we tell you more about how to take care of the liver to avoid other health problems.
How to tell if the liver is not working well
The liver works hard to maintain the health of the body. However, certain harmful habits like alcohol, drugs, viruses, and excess weight can harm you.
Actually, you may not realize something is wrong because liver disease usually shows no symptoms until the problem is advanced. Therefore, it is crucial to see your doctor to do the appropriate tests before it is too late.
For example, excess fat in the liver can cause inflammation and damage. Over time, excess fat can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even liver failure.
Symptoms that would indicate something is wrong might be:
- Jaundice (yellow-toned skin), spots, skin problems.
- Strange taste in the mouth, poor digestion, nausea, gas.
- Constipation, strange colored stools, abdominal inflammation.
- Anemia.
- Sudden changes in weight.
- Urinating more at night than during the day, with somewhat cloudy urine.
- Pain under the ribs on the right side, headaches.
- Fluid retention.
Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and limiting alcohol consumption help maintain a healthy liver. Also, the consumption of fruits could help to preserve the health of your liver and, consequently, your health.
What fruits can help keep your liver healthy
Many studies support the design of dietary patterns based on the consumption of insoluble fiber and fiber from fruits in obese people with fatty liver disease.
Let’s look at some fruits that can help keep the liver healthy:
1. Orange and lemon
Citrus fruits have a role in strengthening the immune system and provide a good dose of vitamin C.
Furthermore, the components of citrus fruits such as polyphenols, flavonols, carbohydrates and amino acids have shown their high potency against the production of inflammatory cytokines and could have a positive effect on liver dysfunctions.
It is recommended:
- Drink half a lemon juice with a glass of water in the morning.
- Then, in the middle of the morning, take a squeezed orange with a glass of warm water.
2. An apple a day
To have a healthy liver, nothing better than an apple a day. The apple has antioxidant properties and has fiber that aids digestion. Its secret is above all in pectin, a substance that eliminates waste from the body.
3. Melon
The melon provides vitamin A, E, potassium, zinc, fiber, and could reduce bad cholesterol. It can help protect the liver and you will love taking it every day, either through natural juices, in salads or in desserts (do not add too much sugar).
4. Strawberries
The strawberries are rich in phenols, antioxidants that protect cells including liver cells. They are, indeed, very healthy fruits, rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, with anti-inflammatory and detoxifying functions.
5. The plums
Few fruits are as beneficial to the digestive system as prunes. It is recommended to consume them at least 3 times a week on an empty stomach with a glass of water. They provide vitamin E, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.
Do not forget that, to treat any problem related to the liver, it is essential to go to the doctor to detect it in time and avoid more serious diseases.