Liver is one of the most important organs in our body. Luckily it is also one of the most resilient, capable of regenerating itself. This means that healthy food habits can make a big dent in liver health. However for those with chronic liver issues or prone to them, something extra is also needed. This article provides three little known liver health foods that can help:
1. Coffee
Dr. Sanjiv Chopra (the younger brother of Dr. Deepak Chopra) is a leading liver specialist . He is also a leading advocate of coffee for liver health. The statistics he cites are pretty dramatic. One study found that drinking two cups of coffee a day decreases the incidence of primary liver cancer by 43%. Another study found that two coffee cups per day reduced incidence of liver cirrhosis by 40%. All studies have found that this works only while having regular coffee. Decaffeinated coffee does not seem to have the same beneficial effect. Neither is this replicated by drinking tea instead of coffee. Dr. Chopra insists that everybody should start drinking coffee, as long as they have no other issue that prevents them from doing so. The recommended portion size is that everybody should drink up to two regular sized cups of coffee per day.
2. Neem Leaves
There have been studies that have shown that Neem Leaf can minimize chemically induced damage to the liver in laboratory mice. Neem Leaves have long been well regarded in Ayurveda as a potent treatment to clean the blood and remove toxins from the liver. This study now bears this out. Pregnant women and children should not be given Neem. Those who have just had organ transplant may also want to consult their doctor before having Neem. There is also a note for diabetics. Neem can reduce blood sugar levels so it should help but this is also a caution against unexpected sugar level drop. The best way to have Neem leaves is to do so in the form of a brew by dipping the leaves in hot water.
3. Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon (Also known as Karela or Karevella or Goya).
The residents of Okinawa have been widely studied for their longevity. There is some speculation that one of the secrets of this longevity is the strong consumption of Bitter Gourd by the islanders. The vegetable is an excellent source of phyto-nutrients, folates, vitamin C, and flavonoids. Like Neem it can lower blood sugar levels so Diabetics should benefit. Early laboratory tests have shown that Bitter Gourd can help with treatment of HIV infection. It has been widely regarded in Ayurveda as a vegetable that can help heal the liver. The seeds of Bitter Gourd have to be removed before cooking. If you are not familiar with this vegetable please follow this recipe to get started with Bitter Gourd: youtube video demonstration of how to cook this vegetable.
About one in ten persons in the US (and the rest of the world) has some kind of chronic liver condition. These tips should not only help them but also the rest of the population to keep the liver healthy. Please share this and pass it along to spread the message of liver health!
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Credits:This has been written by Raj Shah and edited by Ketna Shah.