Support Your Liver
Your liver is an essential organ crucial for your body's functioning, particularly in ensuring effective detoxification. Especially after the indulgence of the festive season and in line with your good intentions, we are keen to share how you can provide extra support to your liver.
The liver is a versatile organ, not only involved in the conversion and breakdown of harmful substances (detoxification) but also crucial for bile production. This is important for fat digestion in the intestines and the elimination of waste products. The liver also plays a significant role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Additionally, the liver serves as a (temporary) storage site for glycogen (stored glucose in the liver) and fats, making it a vital factor in the body's energy supply. When there is a shortage of fuel in the body, substances like glycogen and fats can be released to provide energy. Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals can also be temporarily stored in the liver. It is almost unnecessary to say that optimal liver function is essential for good health and energy levels.
Alcohol, Sugar, and Your Liver
What should you consider if you want to support the liver's proper functioning and detoxification? It is well-known that large amounts of alcohol are very taxing on the liver. Over 90% of what we drink is broken down by the liver, releasing toxic substances that are harmful to this organ. Damaged cells in the liver cause it to function less optimally. This impairs the conversion of certain nutrients and can lead to fatty liver disease. Perhaps less known is that sugar is just as taxing on the liver as alcohol. Most sugars found in sweets and biscuits consist of fructose (fruit sugar) and glucose. Your liver can only convert a limited amount of sugars into energy. Fructose is converted into glucose and, when in excess, into fat. An excess of fructose also reduces insulin production and disrupts the pancreas (the organ responsible for insulin production). An excess of glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. Glycogen (which serves as an energy reserve in the body) is stored as fat when in excess. Both alcohol and sugar are responsible for fatty liver disease. Therefore, try to limit your alcohol and sugar intake amid all the festivities. Other factors that burden the liver include smoking, stress, and medication, but factors we have less control over, such as air pollution, also play a role.
Bitter Vegetables for Your Liver
What makes your liver happy? Plenty of vegetables! You may have noticed that we often mention how important vegetables are and what the optimal quantity is. And under the motto of 'the power of repetition', here it is again: we need at least 300 to 500 grams of vegetables daily, and preferably even more. Your liver especially enjoys bitter vegetables because they contain compounds that stimulate bile secretion. A healthy bile flow aids in effective detoxification of the body, digestion, and bowel movements. You can find bitter compounds in foods such as:
Ayurvedic Hot Water Cure
Drinking water is an easy way to help your liver function well. The advice is to drink at least 1.5 litres of water daily. Two large glasses in the morning after waking up help to replenish the fluids lost overnight and provide a good kickstart to various bodily processes. Want to do something extra for your liver? You can plan a 'hot water cure'. This hot water cure originates from Ayurveda (a traditional Indian medicine) and stimulates the liver's detoxifying function. The cure goes as follows:
- In the morning, bring 1 litre of water to a boil and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add a little fresh ginger for the last 5 minutes and remove the ginger after boiling.
- Pour the water into a thermos flask.
- Sip the hot water throughout the day (do not let it cool) until the flask is empty.
- You can do the cure for one day but can also continue for several consecutive days.
Detox Drinks
Of course, a glass of bubbly during the holidays tastes nice, but you can bring the festivity just as easily into your home and give your liver a helping hand with the following drinks:
- Fruit/vegetable infused waters: jazz up your glass of water by adding various types of fruit, vegetables, and even herbs. Great ingredients include ginger, lemon, rosemary, berries, but also think about cucumber, carrot, or basil.
- Chai latte/golden milk: warming lattes based on ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and cloves are literally and figuratively heartwarming.
- Kombucha: originally a Japanese drink made from fermented tea with probiotic cultures. Refreshing, thirst-quenching, and good for your gut microbiome.
- Detox smoothie. OrangeFit offers a ‘Greens’ powder in its range, providing around 24 types of vegetables and fruits with one scoop of green powder. The perfect addition to all your juices and smoothies.
- Alka specialises in products that help your body detoxify, from teas to alkaline drops and tabs.
Written by: Noëlle van Seggelen
