In this guide, we focus on the top foods, recipes & remedies proven by science to have potent natural detoxifying liver and kidneys abilities. All, natural, safe whole foods you can easily get at your local store.
Use them on their own as an easy way to boost your diet with foods that are good for your liver and kidneys, or to enhance your liver and kidney cleanse protocols.
Related Topics:
- Kidney cleanse (see protocol).
- Liver cleanse (see protocol).
Top Detoxifying Liver And Kidneys Foods
Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) is well known for its natural ability to cleanse, detox and flush out toxins from the body.
The research data suggests that apple cider vinegar detoxifying liver and kidneys properties come from its ability to regulate lipid metabolism in the liver, and protect the kidneys and liver from an oxidative injury due to high fast diet [1, 2].
Specifically to the kidneys cleanse, many health experts believe that apple cider vinegar can naturally promote an alkaline environment inside the body, which can alter the acidity in the urine. This can help the kidneys to better pass toxins, and may also prevent the formation of kidney stones.
A study that evaluated the connection between the dietary habits of 12,570 adults to kidney stones in china, found that more consumption of tea, legumes, and fermented vinegar was associated with a lesser risk of kidney stone formation [3].
Example: Liver Detox Drink Recipe
Ingredients: water, apple cider vinegar, lemon, herbs.
See the complete recipe.
Lemon & Lime Juice
Perhaps one of the most famous ayurveda home remedies to detox and cleanse the body; drink warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning.
The research data suggests that lemon and lime juices can prevent kidney stone formation due to their high citric acid content. Citrate has the ability to bind with urinary calcium and calcium oxalate crystals which may help to prevent crystal growth [4, 5].
As for the liver cleansing benefits of lemon juice, the data suggests that lemon juice can regulate elevated levels of serum ALT and AST liver enzymes as well to balance triacylglycerol and lipid peroxidation in the liver [6].
The researchers believe that the detoxifying liver and kidneys abilities of lemon juice are related to its high citric acid content (kidneys) and high antioxidant capacity (liver).
Example: Liver Detox Tea
Ingredients: lemon, ginger root, cloves, cinnamon, raw honey, stevia.
See the complete recipe.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil has a long history of traditional use as food and medicine. According to the medical literature, there are multiple ways olive oil can protect the liver. The data suggests that olive oil can reduce fatty liver disease, prevent liver cells injury, and reduce lipid peroxidation [7].
Additional studies also found that olive oil can protect the kidneys as well. According to the evidence, olive oil has the ability to reduce the growth of urinary stones, control kidney inflammation, and prevent kidney damage [8, 9].
Example: Detox Parasite Cleanse Salad Dressing
Ingredients: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon, garlic, himalayan salt, black pepper, mustard.
See the complete recipe.
Beetroot Juice
The detoxifying liver and kidneys properties of beets, come from their ability to increase the blood flow to the kidneys, and reduce oxidative damage to the liver.
Beets are rich in natural chemicals called nitrates. When you drink beet juice, the body converts the nitrates into nitric oxide [10]. In the kidney, nitric oxide play a key role in many important functions needed to regulate and maintain healthy kidneys functions [11].
In his post “The Kidney Dysfunction Epidemic”, Dr. Joseph Pizzorno described a study where beetroot juice was able to increase blood flow to the Kidneys, up to 26%. According to Dr. Joseph [12]:
Increasing blood flow to the kidneys has a huge impact on improving detoxification and decreasing oxidative stress.
Beets are also considered as the top detoxing foods for the liver. Beetroot is a rich source of a class of antioxidants known as betalains. According to research, beetroot may have a protective effect against oxidative damage to the liver [13].
Example: Kidney Cleanse Juice
Ingredients: Ingredients: celery, carrots, cucumbers, beet, apple, orange.
See the complete recipe.
Ginger
There’s a very good reason why you can find ginger root in almost every liver and kidney cleanse recipe. According to research, ginger has the ability to improve kidney function and protect kidneys from different toxins. The evidence suggests that ginger can decrease inflammation and oxidative damage to kidney tissue when exposed to a wide variety of toxins [14].
Multiple studies also suggest that ginger can improve liver enzymes profile and other nonalcoholic fatty liver disease characteristics [15].
44 nonalcoholic fatty liver patients that took 2 grams of ginger for 12 weeks, showed improvements in certain liver enzymes, inflammation, insulin resistance and other nonalcoholic fatty liver disease characteristics [16].
Example: Liver Cleanse Juice
Ingredients: celery, spinach, carrots, beetroot, ginger root, lemon, apple, cucumbers, stevia, cinnamon.
See the complete recipe.
Blueberries
Multiple studies suggests that blueberries can protect the kidneys from disease, due to their ability to preserve blood flow to the kidneys, decrease inflammation, and delay damage and injury to the kidneys [17, 18, 19].
Regarding the liver, research data suggests that blueberries antioxidant properties can decrease the development of chronic liver damage, scarring of the liver, and liver failure [20, 21].
Carrots
Carrots have a long history of traditional use to treat kidney disease and other urinary disorders. Modern science was able to validate this use. According to research, carrots antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and high beta carotene content, may help to reduce kidney toxicity and protect the kidney from damage [22 ,23].
Additional evidence also suggests that carrots can protect the liver as well [24]. According to research, the bioactive components of carrot can improve liver functions in cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [25].
Pomegranate Juice
The research data on pomegranates is quite remarkable. Multiple studies found that pomegranates can help prevent or treat several types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases [26].
These benefits also include the liver and kidneys health. Several studies were able to demonstrate pomegranates detoxifying liver and kidneys benefits. Pomegranate juice was able to reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, and protect the liver against various liver injuries [27, 28].
Other studies found that pomegranate juice was able to prevent crystal depositions, kidney stone formation, and protect the kidneys from cellular damage caused by exposure to heavy metals [29, 30].
Turmeric
With a long history of traditional use and a large number of studies, turmeric is one of the most potent detoxifying liver and kidneys herbs.
Curcumin, the main active compound of turmeric, has shown anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities. [31].
A study that compared curcumin to placebo, found that curcumin reduced liver fat content by 78.9% vs 27.5% in the placebo group, regulate elevated liver enzymes, and improve cholesterol triglycerides profile. [32].
Another study concluded that curcumin can reduce harmful molecules that may lead to inflammation in chronic kidney disease. [33].
Example: Kidney Cleanse Tea
Ingredients: spring water, dandelion, turmeric, lemon, black pepper, stevia.
See the complete recipe.