The majority of the global population suffers from problems related to poor nutrition. Globalisation has led us to sedentariness and greater use of fast food and pre-cooked foodand eliminating the passion for cooking and the search for healthy food. If we look back at the last century, we notice an increase in food-related diseasesbecause in the past people ate organic produce from their own garden and therefore free of preservatives or pesticides. With industrial development and new discoveries in technical and scientific fields, man has favoured food preservation at the expense of quality. As a result, we have come to abuse such novelties that have actually worsened the health of our organism. Metabolism needs thousands of years to adapt and assimilate the toxins contained in novel foods.
Wellness and nutrition: how to detoxify the liver
Word to the expert: the foods that ensure the health of our liver
In particular, the organ that suffers most is the liver, a facility for filtering and purifying food or drink. Detoxifying the liver is a necessary action that allows the body to effectively excrete toxins. Besides storing vitamins and iron, the liver has several functions: it metabolises carbohydrates, fats, proteins and hormones.
Its cells break down toxic substances and eliminate them. When toxins are in excess, the liver becomes overloaded and is no longer able to perform its functions. As a result, toxins spill into the bloodstream causing infections and the appearance of parasites. Detoxifying the liver must become a regular habit and a personal pleasure.
When our liver is overloaded, we notice certain symptoms such as fatigue, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, hypercholesterolaemia and nausea. If the liver is not cleansed, it leads to disorders such as gallstones, hepatitis, cirrhosis and various infections. To help it purify itself, one must therefore consider one's diet.
Wellness and nutrition: foods to cleanse the liver
There are some very effective and readily available foods such as chicory, milk thistle, dandelion that help when we are in the presence of gallstones. The carrot and the papayaThey contain vitamins A and E, while artichokes stimulate bile production and purify the blood. In addition, beets decongest and red tomatoes contain lycopenea natural substance that aids metabolism.
A mineral that aids liver purification is magnesium. For food to work effectively, it is necessary to centrifuge it: this allows the liquid to be absorbed more quickly and act immediately. For example the carrot centrifugerich in vitamin C, purifies and protects liver cells.
Lemon juice is rich in antioxidants and helps cleanse the body of food toxicity. Apple juice, on the other hand, helps prevent liver cancer. As a coffee substitute, barley is excellent, which, besides being caffeine-free, detoxifies the digestive system and has a mild laxative function. To aid detoxification, it is advisable to drink plenty of water a day (at least two litres), fare exercise, take vitamins and fibre and lead a balanced life. In addition to centrifuges, purifying decoctions are also excellent allies.
Wellness and nutrition: 5 centrifuges to prepare at home
Wellness and nutrition: recipes for tisane purifying
Liquorice purifying herbal tea:
20 grams of
- liquorice
- mallow
- dandelion
- frangula
- weed
Add a generous tablespoon of each ingredient to one litre of boiling water, keep boiling for about 10 minutes and then leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink 2 cups a day, outside meals, for 2 months.
Purifying mint herbal tea
- 20 g liquorice root
- 20 g milk thistle fruit
- 30 g burdock root
- 20 g aniseed fruit
- 10 g mint leaves.
Mix the herbs, put them in 1 litre of water and boil the purifying herbal tea for 4-5 minutes, then let it steep for 20 minutes. Drink it during the day.
Artichoke Purifying Herbal Tea:
A herbal tea made from artichoke leaves stimulates diuresisby promoting the elimination of toxins from the body. This herbal tea will also have a belly deflating effect and will also benefit the blood circulation. The substances contained in artichoke such as cynarinan active ingredient that promotes diuresis and biliary secretion, are able to purifying the liver. Since the artichoke is slightly bitter, you can sweeten the herbal tea by using honey. Boil a cup of water, turn off the heat and let a few artichoke leaves steep for about 15 minutes. Strain and consume at least once a day after meals.
Wellness and nutrition: wellness meals
It would be appropriate to reserve for liver purification two days a week. Here is a typical day:
- Breakfast with carrot or apple juice, a banana and wholegrain cereal with berries (a vegetable milk such as soya milk is also fine)
- Motor activities: going out for a walk, cleaning the house and taking a long relaxing bath
- Snackgreen tea and an apple
- Lunch: wholemeal spaghetti with broccoli dressed with extra virgin olive oil and garlic, raw artichoke salad and a fennel tea
- Motor activities: walk in the park or with the dog, yoga, meditation, swimming (for relaxation, choose a book to read)
- Snack: based on sliced pineapple and low-fat yoghurt
- Dinner: steamed salmon with asparagus dressed with extra virgin olive oil and parsley, or onion soup or pumpkin velouté, raw carrot salad.
- Purification and relaxation: dandelion herbal tea, hot bath with relaxing essential oils.
If you enjoyed reading about 'Wellness and Nutrition', you may also find it interesting to read about "Wellness and naturopathyin which we talk about prevention and natural remedies. For more information, please contact a naturopath who will advise you on a healthy, balanced diet.
