Sea kelp and soybean chicken soup can protect our liver. The health of the liver directly affects our body's metabolic function. To prevent liver disease, the first thing we must do is to not add burden to the liver. In addition to paying attention to diet and exercise, there are five things we must avoid to protect our liver!
【Name】
Sea Kelp and Soybean Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】
- Sea kelp, washed and soaked for 30 minutes to an hour, then drained
- Soybeans, washed and soaked for 1-2 hours, then drained
- Chicken, washed and cut into pieces
- 6 cups of water
- Salt to taste
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a clay pot. Add all the ingredients and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer for an hour and a half. Season with salt and serve.
【Benefits】
This soup helps to clear heat, eliminate dampness, nourish the liver and blood, and improve the body's immune system.
【Five Misconceptions About Protecting the Liver】
1. Taking off clothes too early. In spring, the temperature is unstable, with the highest temperature usually around noon and a significant temperature difference between morning and evening. If we don't dress warmly, we are prone to catching a cold. There is an old saying that one should bundle up in spring and expose to the cold in autumn. This is not an empty phrase. By keeping warm in spring, we can avoid a decrease in immune function and have better disease resistance, which is beneficial for joint health and disease prevention.
2. Excessive alcohol consumption. We all know that alcohol is harmful to the liver, especially when consumed in large quantities on a regular basis. It puts a heavy burden on the liver and increases the risk of liver disease and recurrence.
Although the Chinese dietary guidelines provide recommendations for moderate alcohol consumption, such as not exceeding 1 jin of Baijiu (a distilled liquor), 1 bottle of beer, and about 2 jin of red or yellow wine, for patients with liver disease, it is advisable to abstain from alcohol to avoid prolonged recovery time and recurrence. For those without liver disease, if they choose to drink, they should avoid drinking on an empty stomach and pay attention to moderation.
3. Staying up late. Staying up late harms the liver, just like drinking alcohol. Both have a damaging effect on the liver. According to the traditional Chinese medicine meridian clock, the gallbladder rests and detoxifies from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM, while the liver does so from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
There is a saying that the gallbladder and liver are closely connected. From a health perspective, these two organs have a very important relationship. If the rest of the gallbladder is affected, it will also affect the liver. The rest and detoxification of these organs occur during deep sleep. Therefore, it is best to lie in bed before 10:30 PM to ensure entering deep sleep before 11:00 PM.
4. Overdoing supplementation. Nowadays, people pay more attention to health preservation, and in spring, they may supplement their bodies to enhance their physique and disease resistance. Although it is possible to supplement the body in spring, it should be done in moderation. Over-supplementation can lead to excessive energy intake, causing fatty liver and affecting liver health. It is best to do it in moderation.
5. Getting angry. Regardless of the season, getting angry is the most undesirable thing. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the liver stores blood and has the function of regulating blood volume. The liver is also in charge of emotions. If one frequently gets angry or holds in anger, it can lead to stagnation of liver Qi, directly affecting liver health. Therefore, it is important to maintain a good and positive mood in spring. If there is unhappiness, it should be vented in a timely manner through communication with others, and one should not hold in anger.
