Sunfood – With our liver being an essential internal filter for everything we ingest — from food to liquid, medications, topical applications to the skin (i.e. lotions and creams) and even the air we breathe, it makes sense to support this vital organ with some cleansing.

The occasional whole body detox is great but with the important role our liver plays on a daily basis, it makes even more sense to support it on the regular by consuming superfoods that naturally offer detoxifying and cleansing benefits in a gentle, ongoing way.

Here are 10 of the top liver cleansing superfoods to add to your healthy eating routine.

1 & 2 – Turmeric or Curcumin offers protective and regenerative properties to the liver because it bears a high-concentration of polyphenols, which have been shown help to reduce fatty liver disease and decrease stress factors at a cellular level(1). You can cook with it, take it as a supplement or drink it up in our Golden Milk Super Blend.

3 – Camu Camu is high in phytochemicals and antioxidants providing a serious dose of vitamin C, which is fantastic for keeping our liver clean. But here’s an added advantage; research done back in 2010 demonstrated that camu camu offers damage-preventative perks with the ability to suppress liver injury due to the benefits of an active compound called 1-methyl malate(2). Camu Camu has a tangy flavor profile making it a delicious add to your favorite juice, smoothie or yogurt.

4- Chanca Piedra Tea has been cited in traditional Chinese medicine for its liver supporting properties for years. This herbal tea contains a protein that protects the liver from oxidative stress(3). Adding chanca piedra tea to your early evening routine is a great way to help your liver release excess toxins before you sleep.

5 – Marine Phytoplankton – bioavailability is the name of the game here as these single-celled phytoplankton can be absorbed on a cellular level, meaning our bodies don’t have to rely on the liver or digestive system to process them. This not only relieves the liver of its already taxing job but also aids the liver in the restorative process during the detoxification process(4). Marine Phytoplankton can be added to coconut water, juice or taken directly. For cleansing purposes, most will spread out their desired dosage over the course of the day.

6 – Beet Powder…make it your liver’s new best friend! Beets are repeatedly proven to exhibit enormous protective benefits to the liver due to their anti-inflammatory properties and exceptional ability to prevent oxidative stress(5). Beets have a vibrant flavor and we fall in love over and over again with ourBountiful Beetroot Hummus recipe.

7 – Chlorella showed promising results in improving lipid profiles and liver function in an extensive study performed in 2014(6) that was centered around the rising public health concern of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Chlorella has many other health benefits and is commonly taken in tablet form.

8 – Maqui is an antioxidant superhero and is abundant in anthocyanins which have the power to assist the body in liver detoxification(7). And while we love our acai, we’ll just tell you that maqui berries contain up to 10x’s more antioxidants than acai. So if you’re focused on liver cleansing, why not give them both a try in our Acai Maqui Bowl Mix?

9 & 10  – Raw Organic Supergreens are a must-have for liver detoxification because they contain a wealth of liver protective nutrients including chlorophyll, which helps the liver to neutralize heavy metals, toxic chemicals and pesticides, while also offering alkalizing benefits to the body. We love sprinkling our Supergreens over salads and savory bowls but when it comes to detoxing, our Yummy Tummy Detox drink recipe is a must!

SF Source Sunfood May 2019