As the largest organ in the human body, the liver has several functions, including cleansing the blood, producing bile and storing energy in the form of glycogen. Due to the detoxification properties of the liver, eating certain foods can help facilitate and encourage toxin removal from the body.
Onions
Onions, green onions and shallots are sources of sulfur-containing amino acids. According to Patrick Holford and Fiona Joyce, authors of the book "The 9-Day Liver Detox Diet," sulfur drives a critical liver detox pathway known as sulfation. The amino acids present in onions provide the raw materials to make glutathione, a detoxifying compound in the liver. Glutathione detoxifies acetaminophen and caffeine that pass through the organ, the authors write. Holford and Joyce recommend eating a small onion, a shallot or four green onions raw every day to garner the full detoxifying effect. Raw red onions are particularly beneficial as they contain quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory that enhances liver function.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a common spice present in a variety of cuisines, specifically Indian. Michelle Cook writes in her book "The 4 Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan" that turmeric helps increase bile production to expel toxins and reduce liver inflammation. It functions by increasing liver-supporting enzymes that encourage detoxification, Cook notes. Turmeric also helps lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy and Brussels sprouts boost both phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification systems, according to James Meschino's book "The Wrinkle-Free Zone." Phase I detoxification involves activating a group of enzymes that eliminate food color, preservatives, additives, medications and environmental toxins, Meschino notes. In phase 2 detoxification, enzymes interact and neutralize potentially damaging compounds passed on from the initial phase.
Cruciferous vegetables naturally contain the substance indole-3-carbinol, which enhances enzymatic function in both phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification. Eating these veggies with additional foods such as lemons, limes and other citrus fruits, which contain phytochemicals like limonene, enhances liver detox.
References
- KidsHealth: Your Liver
- "The 9-Day Liver Detox Diet"; Patrick Holford and Fiona Joyce; 2010
- "The 4 Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan"; Michelle Cook; 2010
- "The Wrinkle-Free Zone"; James Meschino; 2004
