Liver Tonic: Easy, Delicious Beet Smoothie Recipe
by Tracy Nee and Diana Cohen
Feeling sluggish? Maybe it’s time for a cleanse. This tonic is a very powerful blend. Beets are great and make one of the best liver tonics.
A healthy liver benefits all parts of your body. Without a happy liver, your body won’t function at it’s best.
Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It’s continuously working as a blood purifier, balancing your blood sugar levels, producing bile to improve digestion, storing vitamins and minerals and generally keeping you in your best health.
Show it some appreciation with these liver lovin’ ingredients.
Benefits of Beets
Beets are an awesome two-in-one ve
getable as you can enjoy both their roots and leaves. Studies show that beets protect liver cells from harmful chemicals with the compounds betacyanin, a red pigment found in red beets and betaxanthin, a yellow pigment found in yellow beets. Both of these pigments provide powerful antioxidant protection. Beets are rich in folate, a water-soluble B vitamin important for a healthy heart and essential for normal tissue growth. The red pigment in beets raises antioxidant enzyme levels in your liver and can promote detoxification in your intestines, blood, and liver.
Beetroot is also a fantastic digestive aid thanks to an amino acid called betaine which helps with the breakdown of proteins and fats.
By drinking beet juice you can lower your blood pressure in a matter of hours!! Nitric oxide, a naturally occurring nitrate in beets, relaxes and dilates your blood vessels which improves your blood flow and in turn lowers your blood pressure.
Beet greens are delicious and are rich in vitamins and minerals as well. They contain beta-carotene, lutein, phosphorus, zinc, fibre, vitamin b6, magnesium and much more. They have almost twice the potassium of the beetroot and contain high levels of folic acid, which can help ward off certain birth defects and cancers.
They contribute to the protection of your internal organs, boosting your stamina. They can help ward off osteoporosis by boosting bone strength, help fight Alzheimer’s disease and strengthen your immune system.
Dandelion Benefits
Dandelion has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a powerful liver tonic. It is said to enhance the flow of bile and improve liver function.
Dandelion root is among the top remedies for liver conditions such as hepatitis, gallstones, and jaundice. A daily cup of dandelion tea is recommended for anyone who feels run-down, sluggish, or over-stressed.
Dandelion greens are also an incredibly healthy food — chock full of vitamin C, higher in beta-carotene than carrots and richer in iron and calcium content than spinach.
Beet Smoothie – Liver Tonic Recipe
- ½ small beet (beets can be powerful, so start out using a smaller quantity and work your way up)
- 3 to 4 beet green leaves
- 3 to 4 dandelion leaves
- ¼ to ½ lemon
- 2 apples
- 1-inch fresh ginger
- 1 cup water
Blend and enjoy! If you’re anything like me, you’ll also adore the color!