No matter what new diet trend the New Year brings, one thing always repeats itself every: Dry January
Giving up alcohol entirely for a month sounds perfect in theory, and what a better way to start the new year healthily. However, every time I read yet another article about some becoming tee-total and praising this new lifestyle, I’m completely (or at least 99%) sure that this person had a very unhealthy relationship with alcohol in the first place. They don’t have to be a diagnosed alcoholic, but usually their history with alcohol goes along the lines of drinking too much too often and from an early age too. So if this applies to you, then yes going tee-total is the best way forward. However, if you’re able to go days or even weeks without craving a glass of wine then doing dry January is not going to change anything in your life (apart from proving your strong will power).
Instead think about changing your attitude towards drinking in general as this is much healthier change in the long run than just having one alcohol free month. How about not drinking during the week and then having a glass of your favourite wine with you Sunday roast? Or spend the money you saved from not drinking 3 nights in the row at the pub and purchase a quality champagne instead.
The problem with banning something completely from your diet, be it alcohol or carbs or dairy, is that you start to crave it even more – especially if you go cold turkey. Of course it’s a different story if you’re allergic or intolerant.
But what can you do to help your liver on a day to day basis?
Having a warm glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning will helps to alkalise your body and stimulate your liver. Eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy:
1. Artichokes are liver-cleansing food. This plant is a great source of silymarin, active ingredient in Milk Thistle (you can buy it as a supplement). Silymarin helps protect and nourish the liver.
2. Green leafy vegetables (high in chlorophyll)
3. Dandelion (in tea or salads). The Arab physicians of eleventh century were the first to write about this miracle plant. It is one of the top fifty "power herbs" of the world. Dandelion is great for liver detoxification. One of the chemical component of dandelion is taraxacin help promote the liver and gallbladder to realise bile.
5. Eggs are perfect source of choline. Choline is essential part of a phospholipid phosphatidylcholine, which helps prevent the accumulation of cholesterol and fat in liver.
6. Turmeric gives a significant liver protection and also recommended for people who has hepatitis
(it lowers elevated liver enzymes)