Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. This gland performs a wide range of important functions, including breaking down toxins, proteins and sugars; neutralizing acids; producing albumin (the major blood protein); storing vitamins A, B and D; and processing fats, carbohydrates and amino acids. Your liver is also responsible for filtering anything that enters your body through the digestive system so that it doesn’t end up hurting you. Because the liver performs so many crucial functions, it is also one of the first places where excess fat begins to accumulate. Fortunately, there are several ways you can support your liver health to prevent further damage from occurring. Keep reading to learn more about quercetin for your liver health—and how you can incorporate this helpful flavonoid into your diet on a regular basis.
What is Quercetin?
Quercetin is a flavonoid that is found in many different types of fruits, vegetables, plants and herbs—including apples, onions, cranberries, citrus fruits, tea, red wine and peanuts. Quercetin has been shown to have many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, reduced risk of cancer, and improved cardiovascular health. Some studies have even shown that quercetin might help to prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes. Because it is such a widely-used flavonoid, quercetin has many different functions. These include the ability to reduce the risk of oxidative stress, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses, and prevent blood platelets from clumping together. Quercetin has also been shown to help repair damage to the liver caused by alcohol, toxins, and certain medications.
Why Is Your Liver Important?
Your liver is responsible for so many critical bodily functions. It’s estimated that your liver performs about 500 different jobs! This vital organ is responsible for producing bile and storing energy from carbohydrates and fats. It also helps your body to process proteins, vitamins and minerals, and keeps your blood clean and free from toxins. If your liver becomes damaged or overworked, it can lead to a wide range of health problems, including fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to support your liver health, including avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy diet and taking regular supplements. One of the best supplements for liver health is quercetin. This flavonoid has been shown to help repair damage to the liver caused by alcohol, toxins and certain medications. Quercetin has also been shown to prevent fat cells from growing in the liver—helping to reduce the risk of further damage.
How Does Quercetin Help Your Liver?
Quercetin has many different functions, including anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body, leading to cellular damage. Quercetin is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to be very effective in neutralizing free radicals and preventing oxidative stress. This flavonoid also has antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it very useful for preventing infections. Quercetin’s ability to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses makes it a helpful supplement for preventing infections in the liver.
4 Foods With Quercetin for Your Liver Health
If you want to take quercetin as a supplement, it’s important to choose a high-quality brand. You can also get this flavonoid from certain foods, including apples, onions, cranberries, citrus fruits, tea, red wine and peanuts. These foods are a great source of antioxidants like quercetin, providing you with a wide range of health benefits without the risk of unwanted side effects. If you want to take quercetin as a supplement, you can find this flavonoid in many different brands. Some people prefer to take quercetin in the form of a pill, while others take it as a liquid extract. Quercetin is also available in powder form, which can be mixed into a drink or sprinkled onto food. Quercetin is best taken with food for maximum absorption.
3 Other Ways to Support Your Liver Health
There are many other ways to support your liver health, including avoiding alcohol and eating a healthy diet. These are two of the most important ways to protect your liver from damage. If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s important to do so in moderation. Experts recommend limiting your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. An unhealthy diet can also damage your liver and should be avoided as much as possible. A healthy diet, on the other hand, is packed with antioxidants and other nutrients to protect your liver. These include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts—all of which are high in quercetin. These healthy foods can also help with weight loss and diabetes control, two other important ways to protect your liver health.
Conclusion
Fortunately, quercetin is very easy to find and incorporate into your diet. You can find this flavonoid in many different types of fruits, vegetables, plants and herbs. Quercetin is commonly used as an antioxidant to protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. This flavonoid also has antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it very useful for preventing infections. Quercetin has been shown to help repair damage to the liver and can be found in apples, onions, cranberries, citrus fruits, tea, red wine and peanuts. These foods are a great source of antioxidants and other nutrients that protect your liver. If you want to take quercetin as a supplement, you can find this flavonoid in many different brands.
