Pennywort contains many important biological compounds such as asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, flavonoids and polyphenols.
These active ingredients have been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cell protection capabilities against damage caused by free radicals.
However, most evidence of liver protection effects still comes from laboratory and animal studies; more large-scale human clinical trials are needed to confirm effectiveness.
The liver is the organ responsible for metabolizing drugs, alcohol, and many other toxins. When the body is exposed to too many harmful substances, more free radicals are produced, increasing oxidative stress and causing damage to liver cells.
Researchers believe that the antioxidant compounds in pennywort can contribute to limiting this process, thereby supporting more efficient liver function.
To use pennywort as a nutritious drink, the processing method is also very important. You should choose about 80-100g of fresh pennywort, remove wilted leaves, wash thoroughly several times under running water and soak in diluted salt water for about 10-15 minutes to reduce the risk of microbial or parasitic infection.
Then blend with 250-300 ml of boiled and cooled water and filter out the water. You can add a few slices of ginger or a little lemon juice to enhance the flavor without adding too much sugar.
Nutrition experts recommend limiting the addition of sugar or condensed milk when drinking pennywort juice.
Supplementing too much sugar can increase calories, contributing to increasing the risk of overweight and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - one of the most common liver diseases today. Instead, you should drink pure or only add a small amount of honey if needed.
The amount used also needs to be reasonable. Healthy adults can drink about a 200-250 ml glass, 2-3 times per week instead of drinking daily in large quantities.
Besides drinking pennywort juice, experts all agree that liver protection needs to be based on a comprehensive lifestyle. Maintaining a reasonable weight, limiting alcohol, not smoking, vaccinating against viral hepatitis, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are proven measures to help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease.
