As the new year has already begun, it’s possible that you may not have made as much progress on your weight loss goals as you had hoped. However, it’s important to remember that weight loss is best achieved through a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet. One way to start making progress is by focusing on foods that are beneficial for your liver, as a healthy liver can aid in weight loss.
You may be wondering why the focus is on foods for the liver, specifically. The liver plays a crucial role in burning majority of your body fat(1), so by consuming foods that support its proper function, you can assist in the process of weight loss.
Garlic
Garlic is a nutrient-dense food with many health benefits, including its potential to support liver health. To maximize its benefits, it’s recommended to consume a clove of garlic before breakfast. Garlic contains selenium and allicin, which may aid in liver regeneration and detoxification (2). If the strong smell of garlic is a concern, you can freshen your breath by consuming a mint afterward.
Grapefruit
Not only are they delicious, but grapefruits are quite nutritious too! Enriched with high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, grapefruits (much like garlic) help in keeping your liver clean and free of toxins and carcinogens. As for how and when you should eat it, try making this fruit a part of your morning meal, whether it’s sliced up or freshly juiced.
Green Tea or Coffee
If you’re the kind of person that can’t do without a beverage in their hand, switch from colas to either green tea or coffee. Both green tea and coffee have several health benefits when consumed in moderation, and one of these benefits is promoting a lean liver. These two drinks contain antioxidants, such as polyphenols and catechins in abundance, which help prevent liver disease, thereby ensuring nothing stops your liver from burning fat (3).
Avocado
They might not be a common kitchen table item in India, but it’s time you included avocado in your diet. This creamy fruit is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are the ‘good’ kind of fat that your body needs. But that’s not all! Avocados also help your liver in producing compounds such as glutathione, which help the liver in burning fats and eliminating toxins (4). Moreover, several health practitioners also advocate special avocado diets for weight loss.
Buckwheat
Is your diet high in fat, which is making it impossible to lose weight? Replace the fatty foods with buckwheat or what we call kootu to be a slimmer and trimmer you! Buckwheat contains a compound known as inositol, which helps in regulating your metabolism and also acts as a liver protector. And the benefits don’t stop there. Studies have shown that it also has a suppressive effect on fatty livers (5). Additionally, buckwheat contains high levels of amino acids, which keep your body energized for that workout session!
Artichokes
Weight loss shouldn’t solely be about foods that don’t taste good! Ergo, enter artichoke. These delicious greens are the perfect food for weight loss and not only keep your liver healthy, but do the same for the pancreas as well. The natural enzymes in artichoke help detoxify your liver and also act as optimizers and protectors of the processes that are concerned with the proper digestion of fats (6).
Turmeric
We’re all well aware that haldi face packs can get you that bridal glow, but did you know consuming turmeric is actually beneficial to the liver as well? This anti-inflammatory spice ensures healthy liver function so that you feel fitter each day and can ward off fatty liver disease (7). You can either sprinkle this spice on your food or mix it with honey and warm water to aid weight loss. Add a dash of lime to this drink in case you don’t like the overpowering taste of raw turmeric.
Beetroots and Raisins
One of the best natural remedies for an improperly functioning liver is theconcoction of beetroot and raisins. Not only will this appetizing drink protect your liver and aid in weight loss, but it will also give you a generous dose of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Here’s how to make it:
Boil 2 ½ cups of water and add 300g of finely chopped beetroot along with ½ cup of raisins to it. Do this only after you’ve removed the boiling water from heat. Now, cover the pot and allow the mixture to cool for 45 minutes. Once cool, put the mixture in a blender, mixing it till you get a smooth and creamy texture. Add a few drops of lemon juice and drink in the morning for five days straight. So, who said weight loss has to be difficult? Just a little bit of modification to your diet can help you get on the weight loss track quite easily!
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