The BEST Foods to Clean Out Your Liver
Although it may be impossible to manage all risk factors, consuming certain foods and drinks may help promote liver health.One 2014 review suggests that over 50%Trusted Source
of people in the United States consume coffee daily.
Coffee appears to be good for the liver, especially because it protects against issues such as fatty liver disease.
The review also notes that daily coffee intake may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease. It may also protect the liver from damaging conditions, such as liver cancer.
A 2014 studyTrusted Source
suggests that the protective effects of coffee may be due to how it influences liver enzymes.
Coffee, it reports, seems to reduce fat buildup in the liver. It also increases protective antioxidants in the liver. The compounds in coffee also help liver enzymes rid the body of cancer-causing substances.As one 2017 studyTrusted Source
reports, beta-glucans are very biologically active in the body. They help modulate the immune system and fight inflammation, and they may be especially helpful in the fight against diabetes and obesity.
The review also notes that beta-glucans from oats appear to help reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver in mice, which could also help protect the liver. More clinical studies are necessary to confirm this benefit in humans, however.
People who are looking to add oats or oatmeal to their diet should look for whole oats or steel-cut oats rather than instant oatmeal. Instant oatmeal may contain fillers such as flour or sugars, which will not be as beneficial for the body.One 2016 reviewTrusted Source
suggests that green tea may help reduce the risk of liver cancer in female Asian populations. However, the study notes that more research is necessary.
It is important to note that drinking green tea may be better for health than taking a green tea extract, as high dose extracts may damage the liver rather than heal it.A small 2016 studyTrusted Source
suggests that supplementing the diet with garlic powder capsules can reduce body weight and body fat in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with no loss of lean body mass.
Weight loss is beneficial for many people, as being overweight or having obesity is a contributing factor to NAFLD. More studies in humans are necessary to determine whether or not eating garlic would have the same effect.