Everything you need to know about diets that detoxify the liver

Liver detoxification diets are meant to cleanse the liver of toxins so it can function better and fight disease. We will cover these diets in this article.

It is popular these days with diets that detoxify the liver. They are simply diet plans with foods that are easy to digest and that improve liver functions.

Like other “detox” diets, they should only be used for a few days at a time. They are not “miracle diets”, but they are more restrictive than a regular balanced diet.

Diets that detoxify the liver are recommended for people who have eaten too much bad food or drank too much alcohol. It is also a good way to counteract fatty liver and certain allergies that occur when the liver does not work as it should.

So what do these diets entail?

The importance of diets that detoxify the liver

The liver is one of the most important organs for health. It not only cleanses the blood of toxins; it also has a role in the breakdown of fat, metabolism, and the secretion of certain hormones.

It participates in an estimated 500 body functions as it synthesizes protein and stores essential vitamins. It also produces cholesterol and is of the utmost importance for the immune system to function properly.

The problem is that the liver is negatively affected by a sedentary lifestyle and toxins, causing it to develop inflammatory diseases that can affect one’s quality of life.

It is therefore a good idea to detoxify the liver from time to time. It is of course good to improve your lifestyle, but these diets are also a good way to benefit the liver.

What does a detox diet for the liver consist of?

Liver detox diets consist of eating plans that aim to restore liver health after it has been damaged by toxins.

Such a diet excludes important food groups, and you should therefore not use it for more than 5 days in a row.

The best time to start detoxifying the liver is right before starting a weight loss program.

Why?

When you reduce the workload of the liver, the metabolism will also work better. They are also recommended if you experience symptoms such as poor digestion, inflammation, and recurring headaches.

Allowed diet

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Herbs and spices
• Seeds and nuts
• Whole grains
• Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, cold water fish)
• Buckwheat and quinoa
• Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)

Forbidden diet

• Red meat
• Butter and margarine
• Cold-cut and processed meat
• Processed oil (palm oil, soy)
• Fried food
• Dairy products
• Coffee and other beverages containing caffeine
• Soda
• Junk food (hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs)
• Store-bought pastries
• Frozen and canned food
• Sweets and other refined sugar
• Alcoholic beverages

Example of a detox diet to detoxify the liver

It is best to eat a balanced diet with a low level of fat if you want to ease the workload of a liver that has been damaged by toxins. It is also good if you follow a special diet at least three times a year.

You should not follow the diet we discuss below for more than 5 days. It helps you take care of your liver and lose weight, but it can be counterproductive if you use it too much.

Alternative to eating on an empty stomach when you wake up

• Hot water with lemon
• Artichoke decoction
• Extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice

Breakfast options

• Chamomile tea with lemon and wholemeal bread with avocado and seeds
• Almond milk, spinach omelet and fresh seasonal fruit
• Oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon
• Orange juice with papaya and a vegetarian sandwich
• Smoothie with vegetable milk, banana, green apple, and green tea

Before lunch

• Green tea or herbal tea
• A handful of soaked nuts (soak overnight)
• Apple or papaya

Lunch options

• Vegetable soup with brown rice and grilled artichoke
• Salad with radishes, onions, carrots, hummus, and fruit
• Turkey breast, salad with artichoke and extra virgin olive oil, wholemeal bread, and green tea
• Lentils with brown rice, salmon, and a green apple
• Vegetable soup and salad with arugula, lettuce, carrots, and avocado

After lunch

• Any fruit
• A handful of unsalted, raw almonds
• A slice of fresh pineapple and green tea

Options for dinner

• Green salad with extra virgin olive oil, white fish, a slice of pineapple
• Pumpkin soup with seaweed, brown rice, and tea on lime blossom
• Carrot soup, brown rice, and optional detox tea
• Brown rice with steamed vegetables and grilled chicken
• Green salad, tuna, and tea.