You probably don’t give your liver enough credit. It’s responsible for 500 functions in your body, including regulating your cholesterol levels and breaking down harmful substances.
Globally, the liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death due to the high prevalence and difficulty of treatment. Researchers warn that by 2030, the global rate of liver cancer will double, affecting upward of 1.2 million people.
Liver damage is a growing epidemic, driven by excess alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, excess sugar consumption and chronic inflammation. Your lifestyle choices can either exacerbate or reduce your chances of developing some form of liver disease.
A healthy lifestyle is the No. 1 way to prevent disease. When it comes to a healthy liver specifically, ditch the booze and try one of these six drinks for a natural boost:
- Tomato Juice
Tomatoes contain antioxidants beneficial for the whole body, including the liver. The lycopene they contain works to inactivate free radicals in the body that can cause damage. Studies show lycopene can also help protect against DNA damage and stimulate the immune system to help destroy early cancer cells.
- Aloe vera juice
An 8-ounce serving of aloe vera juice contains 9.1 milligrams of vitamin C, which helps improve immune function to fight off disease. Aloe vera juice can also be used as a natural detox drink to clean the digestive system, help control blood sugar levels, reduce infections and boost the immune system.
- Coffee
Studies have shown that drinking one cup of coffee a day is associated with a 20% reduced risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Drinking two cups a day has been linked to a 35% reduced risk in developing liver cancer, Neurological diseases, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver and endometrial, cutaneous melanoma skin cancer are some of the other diseases that are suppressed by coffee consumption.
- Green tea
Green tea is packed with natural antioxidants that help remove toxic substances from the liver and other parts of the body that can cause disease. Drinking green tea has been linked to lower blood pressure levels, reduced oxidative stress and reduced chronic inflammation.
- Turmeric tea
As a powerful anti-inflammatory, turmeric works to lower cholesterol levels, protect the heart and improve liver function. The antioxidants in turmeric also help neutralize harmful free radicals throughout the body — including the liver. Try this tea recipe for a boost.