Bitter Foods and Liver Health

At the risk of over-sharing, I’ll just mention that my doctor1 suggested I add bitter foods to my diet to encourage liver health. Glancing at this list, I notice that most of these items are already part of my diet – meaning I like them – so eating more of these things won’t be a burden.

Arugula Salad

  • bitter melon
  • citrus peel
  • unsweetened chocolate
  • dandelion greens
  • escarole
  • quinine (tonic water)
  • mustard greens
  • cabbage
  • broccoli
  • cauliflower
  • turnip
  • Chinese cabbage
  • radish
  • horseradish
  • watercress
  • soy products
  • cheeses (some)
  • miso
  • kale
  • arugula
  • brussel sprouts
  • artichoke
  • grapefruit
  • zucchini
  • radicchio
  • bread
  • asparagus
  • kohlrabi

Unsweetened chocolate is on the list, though that food I’m not planning on eating much of. Also uncured olives are mentioned. You’d have to be pretty damn dedicated to eat one of those: when I was hanging out in Tuscany, the Baccis jokingly gave me a olive fresh off of an olive tree. So astringent that my mouth didn’t recover for hours, took lots and lots of good Chianti before my tongue worked again. They laughed and laughed, and I did too.

Meyer Lemons

Meyer Lemons

Not sure why bitter foods help the liver, I’ll have to look into that, but since I enjoy eating these things anyway, I don’t mind making the effort to eat more.

My blood work will be completed by next week.

Footnotes:
  1. Dr. Andrea Rentea []

4 thoughts on “Bitter Foods and Liver Health

  1. Marie says:

    I love most of those foods, too. I should eat more.

  2. John Etherington says:

    The bitter taste stimulates the Vagus nerve, which activates the production and release of bile and ‘digestive juices’

  3. recette says:

    Thanks for the recommendations shared on your own blog. Something else I would like to state is that fat reduction is not information about going on a dietary fad and trying to reduce as much weight that you can in a couple of weeks. The most effective way to shed weight is by having it slowly and using some basic points which can allow you to make the most through your attempt to slim down. You may understand and already be following many of these tips, however reinforcing know-how never damages.

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