Doctor recommends 'one cup a day' of four-ingredient drink to fight fatty liver
by Catherine Addison-Swan, Charlotte Smith · ChronicleLiveIt's estimated that one in five people in the UK are affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - the term for a range of health conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver.
Having high levels of fat in your liver comes with an increased risk of several serious health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease, according to the NHS. However, as there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, most people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will develop the first stage without realising it.
Later stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it gets worse. But the main treatment for the disease is earing a well-balanced diet, being physically active and, if needed, losing weight - research shows this can reduce liver fat and even reverse the disease, the British Liver Trust advises.
With this in mind, one doctor has recommended a "detox" smoothie to have daily that can help to reduce liver fat and give you an overall health boost. Dr Eric Berg, author of bestselling book The Healthy Keto Plan, took to his YouTube channel to explain the benefits of the four-ingredient drink, SurreyLive reports.
To make Dr Berg's smoothie, you will need two cups of kale, one cup of blueberries, one cup of plain whole-milk kefir, and one cup of water. The diet expert advised: "Blend all of the ingredients in a blender for a couple of minutes. Drink once a day in combination with a healthy Keto diet and intermittent fasting."
As a cruciferous vegetable, kale is packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals, and sulphur compounds that contribute to maintaining liver health, meaning it could lower the risk of specific liver diseases. It contains indole, a natural compound that has anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight fatty liver disease.
Blueberries, meanwhile, can be good for fatty liver because they contain antioxidant nutrients called polyphenols that may help protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and reduce the effects of inflammation on the liver. And water thins the blood, making it easier for the liver to filter, and it helps flush waste from the body, reducing the burden on the kidneys and liver.
Kefir, a fermented drink similar to yoghurt, contains probiotics, which can help reduce fat accumulation around the liver, and studies on animals have shown that kefir can improve fatty liver syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Make sure you seek the advice of your health provider before making dietary chances if you have a medical condition.
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