Going Day Drinking? Support Your Liver Before & After — Here's How

There's a reason "Dry January" takes place in the middle of winter. After all, who wants to skip an ice-cold margarita in the summertime when the sun sets late and the social scene is at its peak?

For those who partake in summer day drinking, just know this: Your body will need to be detoxing regularly to keep up with those warm-weather festivities.

If you plan on drinking alcohol, make sure to support your liver with healthy foods. In simple terms, this means focusing on whole foods with a rainbow of colors. Pick fruits and vegetables you enjoy (so you actually eat them), and always include protein at every meal. 

The term "detox" gets a bad rap. To be clear, we're not talking about laxatives or supplements that "cleanse" your body. By "detox supplement," we mean a well-rounded blend of ingredients that promote natural detoxification and support overall liver health.

Look for plant bioactives with scientific backing for their ability to support liver health. Such ingredients can protect liver cells, assist in the filtering and removal of unwanted toxins and stimulating bile production.

The following ingredients are all generally safe, but you should still talk to a health care professional before taking one or more to ensure they don't interfere with your health regimen (e.g., medications).

If you're consuming alcohol regularly, do your best to schedule a daily sweat session. This will help your body remove toxins through the skin, be it with exercise or some time in the sauna.