Due to the functions that this organ performs, it cleanses your liver from time to time so that it remains in optimal condition.
The liver is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, below the diaphragm and above the stomach. According to the US National Cancer Institute, the liver is the largest organ and is responsible for purifying the blood and aiding in digestion by secreting bile.
In addition, San Francisco’s largest health system, Stanford Children’s Health, has identified more than 500 important functions of the liver, but the most well-known are:
- Production of some proteins for plasma.
- Production of cholesterol and special proteins that help transport fat throughout the body.
- Converts excess glucose into stored glycogen (this glycogen can then be converted back into glucose for energy production).
- Balance and glucose production as needed.
- Regulates the level of amino acids in the blood (these are the units that make up proteins).
- Processing hemoglobin to distribute iron content (liver stores iron).
- Converts toxic ammonia into urea (urea is one of the end products of protein metabolism and is excreted in urine).
- Cleanses the blood of medications and other toxic substances.
- Regulates blood clotting.
- It fights infections by producing immune factors and eliminating some bacteria from the blood.
- Elimination of bilirubin (the accumulation of bilirubin causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow).
Cleanse your liver with oats
As we have seen, this organ has several relevant functions and that is why it is important to take care of it. One recommendation is to drink oat milk to cleanse it.
To prepare the drink, you need to add 20 grams of oatmeal to a cup of water, let it stand for a few hours and then mix it with two grams of cinnamon.
In any case, before consuming any food, you should first consult a doctor to guide the process and determine which foods are suitable for each individual, as the information provided here is not a substitute. Consult your doctor because oats can cause gas and bloating.
However, to reduce side effects, one can start with a low dose and then gradually increase it to the required amount. Once the body gets used to oat bran, the side effects disappear because oat bran is safe for most people and whole oats are used in dietary amounts, according to Medline Plus, US National Library of Medicine.
To care for the liver, you should consider the following:
- Do physical activity because exercise and sweating help eliminate toxins.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity. Or do at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic physical activity.
It’s also helpful to do an even mix of moderate and vigorous activity throughout the week. - Avoid alcohol, but it can be consumed in moderation by healthy adults, that is, up to one drink per day for women of all ages and men over 65, and up to two drinks per day for men under 65.
- Avoid direct contact with toxins from pesticides, cleaning products and other chemicals.
- Maintain a current vaccination schedule, including vaccinations against various types of hepatitis.
- Eat well: The diet should contain fruits, vegetables, fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Other properties of oats
According to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN), oats are classified as whole grains (the grain retains its three components: germ, endosperm and bran) and are rich in calcium and protein, as well as high in fiber.
In terms of micronutrients, oats are rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B6 and folic acid, and are also a source of potassium and vitamin E.
In addition, it can lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and help control appetite by causing a feeling of satiety.
It is also used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, dry skin, and many other conditions, but there is no solid scientific evidence supporting these other uses.
As for preparation, FEN emphasizes that, as a cereal, it offers different preparation options such as:
Cooked: Mix a third of a cup of oats with a cup of milk and add sugar, cinnamon and vanilla to taste.
Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and is done. When serving, you can add fruits and nuts to give the dish more protein and fat.
Baked: By cooking oatmeal with other ingredients, you can make homemade granola or granola. To do this, you need to mix one or two cups of oatmeal with your favorite ingredients, including slivered almonds, walnuts, shredded coconut, raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and others. Then put the mixture in a bowl and add one or two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and two tablespoons of sugar or sweetener, depending on your taste. Then bake at 250°C for 25 to 30 minutes. This is a good option to add fruit and yogurt to a quick and easy breakfast.
Raw: A good idea is to prepare it the night before as follows: put 3 to 4 tablespoons of oats in a bowl, add between half a cup and a cup of milk, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning add some fruits and nuts.
Milk: Mix half a banana with a cup of milk, three tablespoons of oatmeal, ten almonds and ice cream to taste and mix well. In addition, you can add variety with fruits, some good options are: strawberries, blackberries, peaches and others. Even if you don’t eat dairy products, you can still make plant-based oat milk.
Nutritional information per 100 grams of oats
- Calories: 353 kcal.
- Carbohydrates: 55.70 gr.
- Proteins: 11.72 gr.
- Fiber: 9.67 gr.
- Total fats: 7.09 gr.
- Sugar: 0 gr.
- Calcium: 80 mg.
- Iron: 5.80 mg.
- Magnesium: 129 mg.
- Potassium: 355 mg.
- To match: 95 mg.
- Sodium: 8.40 mg.
- Zinc: 3.2 mg.
- B1 (thiamine): 0.67 mg.
- B2 (riboflavin): 0.17 mg.
- B6 (pyridoxine): 0.96 mg.
- Folic acid: 33 mcg.
With information from: