Health professionals suggest focusing on hydrating fruits and veggies, inflammation-fighting foods, and probiotic-rich items to aid liver cleansing and provide relief during the summertime.
High summertime temperatures, coupled with poor dietary choices such as inadequate hydration, an excess of fried dishes, fast food consumption, along with frequent intake of alcoholic beverages including wine and beer, can place additional stress on your liver. When the liver has to work overtime, its effectiveness diminishes, potentially resulting in higher levels of toxins circulating in the blood. Such conditions may cause issues like acne outbreaks, lackluster complexion, greasy skin, hives, and prickly heat rash.
Dr. Doan Vinh Binh from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City recommends incorporating these liver-friendly foods into your diet to support optimal liver function during the hot summer months.
Vegetables and fruits
Herbs like pennywort, malabar spinach, and bitter melon are high in fiber, vitamins C and A, along with antioxidants that aid in protecting the liver, decreasing inflammation, and
promote detoxification
through digestion and urination.
Watermelons, dragon fruits, oranges, grapefruits, and pineapples are not just refreshing; they also supply significant levels of vitamin C along with flavonoid antioxidants. These nutrients aid in maintaining healthy liver function and promoting good skin condition.
Inflammation-fighting foods packed with probiotics
Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, provide anti-inflammatory properties that enhance liver wellness. Leafy dark vegetables including spinach and kale, packed with polyphenol antioxidants, assist in decreasing liver swelling and safeguarding liver cells.
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Salmon paired with an avocado salad. Stock image courtesy of Pexels. |
Foods abundant in probiotics such as yogurt, kimchi, and fermented veggies aid in balancing the gut microbiota, crucial for detox processes and keeping your skin healthy. Consistently eating these can decrease inflammation, strengthen immune response, and improve liver functionality organically.
Foods high in natural glutathione
Mushrooms contain high levels of antioxidants such as glutathione and ergothioneine, aiding the liver in fighting off oxidative stress from free radicals. Pomegranate juice is abundant in antioxidants that stimulate the body’s production of glutathione. Additionally, avocados, kiwis, and garlic serve as great natural sources of glutathione, assisting in the process of cleansing the liver.
Cooling beverages
Pennyworth juice, artichoke tea, and maize silk tea,
roasted water from black turtle beans
Everyone has slight diuretic properties that assist in cooling the body and lessening the feeling of warmth. Starting your day with lemon water sweetened with a bit of honey can be advantageous for liver wellness and enhances digestive processes. It is advised that adults consume between 2 to 2.5 liters of water each day to promote efficient liver performance.
Dr. Binh advises limiting foods that are not beneficial for digestion, such as deep-fried foods, processed foods, spicy dishes, alcohol, sugary sodas, and refined sugar. These foods increase the liver’s metabolic load, leading to hormonal imbalances and acne.
Regularly including natural herbs such as S. Marianum (from
milk thistle
) and Wasabia (derived from wasabi) may aid in regulating hyperactive Kupffer cells within the liver, boost detoxification processes, safeguard hepatic functions, and alleviate symptoms such as itching and acne. It’s advisable to undergo routine medical examinations, encompassing assessments of liver and gastrointestinal functionality, to prevent the onset of liver disorders.
