5 vegetables approved by a gastroenterologist for liver health
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And yet, liver diseases are on the rise, affecting millions of people across the globe. Diet plays an important role in keeping the liver healthy. Dr. Joseph Salhab, a Florida-based gastroenterologist known as The Stomach Doc on Instagram, has now shared a list of vegetables that are good for the liver. Backed by scientific studies, these vegetables can improve liver function and may help reduce the risk of liver-related conditions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cancer. 'I recommend these vegetables to all my liver patients. I make a habit of trying to eat these vegetables throughout the week,' he said in a
.
Let's take a look at the vegetables that offer a protective effect on the liver.
Beetroot
(Pic courtesy: iStock)
Beetroot is a powerhouse for liver health. It has protective effects that lower liver enzymes. A 2023
found that beetroot juice supplementation significantly lowered liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), key markers of liver stress, in patients with NAFLD. Beetroot also improved hepatic steatosis, a condition characterized by excess fat in the liver.
Incorporating beets in the diet can keep the liver sound and healthy.
Broccoli
The gastroenterologist has stressed the importance of adding cruciferous vegetables to the diet. Broccoli, which is a cruciferous vegetable, has shown promising results in improving liver function. A 2015 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
found that broccoli sprout extract significantly reduced ALT and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) levels in men with fatty liver disease.
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This leads to improved liver function. Broccoli's ability to enhance detox enzyme activity makes it a staple in the diet of liver patients.
Onion
Onions are rich in the antioxidant quercetin, which offers liver-protective benefits. The antioxidant properties help combat oxidative stress, a key factor in liver damage. A 2020
found that quercetin supplementation significantly reduced ALT levels in NAFLD patients. Onions are often an easy addition to many dishes.
Along with the flavour, they also support liver health.
Spinach
Leafy greens are good for the liver. Spinach is linked to a reduced risk of liver cancer. According to a 2019
higher consumption of leafy greens, such as spinach was associated with a 39% lower risk of developing liver cancer. One can add spinach into salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes to get its protective effects against liver disease.
Discover the Health Benefits of the Rainbow Diet
Cabbage
Cruciferous vegetables are linked to lowering the risk of several types of cancers. Cabbage, on the other hand, also provides protective effects on the liver. This vegetable supports the liver's natural detoxification processes. A 2007 human intervention
found that consuming Brassica vegetables like cabbage increased the activity of phase II detoxification enzymes in the liver.
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Tatler Asia
29-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
The ‘now' generation: what Gen Z really cares about—from dump accounts to digital therapy
Soulful Escapism If it has anything to do with peace and relaxation, the Gen Zers will take it. Nowadays, young people prefer silence over the hustle and bustle of the city. They find outdoor activities relaxing and calming. Activities such as camping, hiking and going to the beach are what they find most healing to their souls—the perfect recharge after a long week of dealing with adulthood. But not all seek escape through the outdoors. Some young people still prefer to retreat into the comforts of their bedrooms, catching up on sleep. Some call it 'hibernation', meaning a state of deep sleep that lasts for an extended period. While the term is traditionally used for animals trying to pass the winter season, Gen Zers use it to emphasise the exhaustion they feel from reality. Trauma Talk Culture Young people today are leading a cultural shift in how mental health is talked about. What was once a taboo topic is now an open discussion. It's normalised and even championed. Common terms in their everyday language and conversations include 'anxiety' and 'trauma', as they are not afraid to confront past experiences to better understand how they're feeling in the present. Gen Zers have developed its way of processing emotions and navigating relationships, with growing confidence to face its problems and express its feelings. This trend reflects a generation that prioritises emotional wellbeing, embraces vulnerability and encourages others, regardless of age, to do the same. This generation calls for a collective move from stigma to self-care, showing that speaking up and seeking support are signs of strength, not weakness. Doomscrolling Studies show that the act of doomscrolling does more harm than good for today's generation. For Gen Zers, rest often looks like lying in bed, on their phones, endlessly scrolling through social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Also believed to be a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, isolation led many young people to increase their screen time. After all, both school and work shifted online. Doomscrolling, then, became a way of taking a break from virtual classes or work deliverables. The amount of time Gen Zers spend on their phones has become more than just a habit—it has evolved into a kind of self-care, but a harmful one. Many spend hours scrolling, losing track of time and often sacrificing sleep. This behaviour, particularly the act of doomscrolling in bed, even earned its own name: 'bed rotting'. DIY Economics Because of the pandemic, young people learnt and embraced the possibility of remote work. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, many were able to work from the comfort of their homes while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This sparked hope in the younger generation, reinforcing the belief that one can have a job and still have a life. It also raised the expectations of fresh graduates planning their careers, as well as those already in the workforce, when it comes to their current roles: preferably a work-from-home or hybrid setup, with wellness programmes provided, no encouragement of overtime and good pay. They don't mind working as 'corporate slaves'—as long as they're seen, heard and respected in the workplace. The Gen Z business terms don't stop there. One commonly used term is 'burnout'—a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by excessive stress. For this generation, burnout can come from work and even from school. Sustainability and Ethical Responsibility In contrast to past negligence, the current generation is more aware of their environment and surroundings. They are becoming increasingly concerned about the planet's health and well-being, and are also more aware of the steps they can take to help protect it. In recent years, there has been a rise in zero-waste stores, strawless cities have emerged and bamboo toothbrushes have become a trend. Practices such as CLAYGO (Clean As You Go) and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) have also been implemented almost everywhere—in both establishments and schools. Then came edible straws, which are still being used today. These straws, usually made from rice flour, tapioca starch or even wheat, are highly encouraged because once they end up in the ocean or on the streets, they eventually decompose—or can be eaten by animals on land and under the sea. This generation is not stopping with themselves—they're adamant about spreading this awareness. They want to make sustainability and ethical responsibility the norm. See more: How Malala Yousafzai is empowering women through her new initiative Recess Above From eco-conscious habits to purpose-driven careers, Gen Z is living with intention Purpose-Driven Careers and Social Impact Young people don't just look for work based on salary—it's actually about something more, something deeper: purpose. They want to know the employer's values and see whether those values align with their own. It's mainly about making a difference in the world together, doing work that brings them happiness and helps them grow into better individuals. Some are even very specific about what they want—a company that cares for the environment, is socially aware and prioritises mental health and wellbeing. It's safe to say that Gen Zers are this way because they grew up in a technologically advanced world. They have easy access to social media and daily news, allowing them to stay updated on social and environmental issues. As a result, they're called to move, to take action. They want to contribute to building a better world. Young people today don't just sit in silence; they stand up for what they believe is right and take action. The 'Core' Culture In today's endlessly scrollable world, Gen Zers have found solace—and identity—in 'core' culture. From gorpcore (think hiking gear and technical fabrics repurposed for city life) to balletcore (delicate pastels, wrap tops, leg warmers), these hyper-specific aesthetics offer a sense of order amid digital chaos. More than mere fashion trends, they're emotional blueprints: ways to wear nostalgia, rebellion or softness on one's sleeve. TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram have become archives of these fleeting yet fervent identities. But this form of self-expression is not without pressure. Each aesthetic arrives with its own set of rules—what to wear, what to buy, even how to behave. The speed at which these trends cycle means that today's must-haves are tomorrow's discarded clutter. In this way, core culture walks a fine line between experimentation and exhaustion. For all its surface-level fluidity, the movement often reinforces a rigid loop of consumption: adopt the look, post the vibe, move on. In a generation known for its mindfulness and anti-capitalist leanings, this contradiction is stark. Gen Zers may be exploring identity through visual language, but that language is increasingly written in fast fashion tags and algorithmic prompts of social media. Therapy Speak Gen Z's relationship with mental health is characterised by radical transparency. Unlike generations past, who often shied away from emotional disclosure, today's youth speak fluently in 'therapy-speak'—terms like boundaries, triggers, attachment styles and inner child have migrated from the psychologist's office to everyday conversation, especially online. This shift, often referred to as 'trauma talk' culture, reflects not only a growing emotional literacy but also a desire to create safe, supportive spaces in both digital and real-life communities. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become informal group therapy rooms, where sharing one's anxieties, diagnoses or recovery journey is met not with stigma, but solidarity. Still, the openness comes with complexity. While destigmatising mental health is a clear cultural gain, critics point to the risk of over-pathologising ordinary emotions or using therapeutic language to avoid accountability. There's also the question of commodification—when wellness content becomes aesthetic, and self-care is reduced to a brand. Yet for the youth, the benefits outweigh the contradictions. Emotional expression is no longer a vulnerability to hide, but a strength to cultivate and develop. In a world that often feels unstable, transparency is a form of control, and language is power. The Zodiac Talk Cosmic realism draws on astrology, tarot and numerology, not as belief systems, but as symbolic frameworks for making sense of daily life. For Gen Zers, consulting a birth chart or drawing a tarot card isn't necessarily about divine truth but about reflection, too. These rituals provide structure in uncertain times, helping individuals find themselves within broader narratives. A horoscope might not predict the future, but it can validate a feeling or prompt a needed pause. The appeal lies in how these practices blend introspection with aesthetics, being part self-care and part self-definition. Rather than superstition, this is often about meaning-making. Numerology, zodiac traits and planetary alignments become tools for self-awareness and emotional processing. They're used to articulate anxieties, explain moods or even justify instinctive choices. This return to symbolic systems reflects a generation that values inner work and exploration of identity. In conversations with friends, on social media or even during moments alone, cosmic realism provides a language for things that are otherwise hard to explain—an intuitive vocabulary for self-understanding. AI Companionship The rise of digital companions is no longer the stuff of science fiction—it's a reality many Gen Z users are leaning into, not with fear, but with familiarity—apps like Replika and ChatGPT. AI has become popular not because it offers productivity tools, but because it provides a sense of presence. According to a 2023 study by the Center for Humane Technology, Gen Z users report forming emotionally significant bonds with AI chatbots, describing them as 'non-judgmental' spaces for venting, reflection or roleplay. For a generation raised online and shaped by global instability, these digital companions often feel safer and more consistent than human connections. But the comfort they offer comes with complex questions. While critics warn of emotional offloading into algorithmic voids, many users see AI not as a dystopian replacement for people, but as a survival tool, especially when therapy is inaccessible or relationships are fraught. As critics claim, these bots can become 'mirrors for our most intimate selves', shaped by our prompts and projections. Gen Zers aren't blindly trusting AI—they're using it to navigate loneliness, anxiety and the pressure to be constantly available. The companionship might not be human, but for many, it's real enough. More from Tatler: These are the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2025 shaping Asia's future Self-Learning DIY Education has taken on a new form for young people, driven by the vast resources of social media and online platforms. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have transformed into unexpected classrooms, where quick explainer videos, tutorials and step-by-step guides make acquiring new skills—from cooking to coding—accessible and engaging. For example, TikTok creators offer a range of content, from bite-sized lessons on calculus to practical recipes, transforming casual scrolling into productive learning moments. Google's free courses and certifications further support this trend, providing young learners with flexible and affordable ways to acquire professional skills outside of traditional schooling. This shift reflects a generation's appetite for autonomy and immediacy in education. Rather than relying solely on formal institutions, young people tap experts and professionals directly through social media channels, valuing authenticity and relatability. A 2024 Pew Research Center report found that nearly 70 per cent of Gen Zers use social media to seek advice on careers, mental health and practical skills, often preferring peer or influencer insights over textbooks. This DIY approach to knowledge underscores a broader cultural emphasis on continual growth, adaptability and the blurring of lines between entertainment and education. Neo-Sincerity The young ones are rewriting the rules of how we present ourselves online—one long caption, a storytime video or a heartfelt post at a time. In contrast to the ironic detachment that defined earlier internet culture, today's youth are embracing earnestness with open arms. Social media feeds, once dominated by perfectly filtered highlights, now make space for vulnerability: tearful TikToks, deeply personal Instagram captions and confessional commentaries on everyday life. Whether it's recounting a bad breakup or reflecting on a moment of joy, the impulse is clear—feeling deeply is no longer cringe, but cool. This return to sincerity is emotional, as it's political. In a world saturated with curated personas and brand filters, honesty feels like a form of rebellion. Neo-sincerity enables Gen Zers (and some others) to resist the pressure to perform perfectly and instead lean into messiness, nuance and truth. The 'story time' format, often raw and unpolished, invites connection through relatability rather than aspiration. It's a small but powerful act: choosing to be seen, not as an aesthetic or avatar, but as a whole, feeling human being. Above For Gen Z, identity is fluid, sincerity is power and social media is more than a highlight reel, it's a space for self-expression and connection Reclaimed Heritage Reclaimed heritage is seeing a quiet resurgence among young people who are seeking to reconnect with the languages, textiles, rituals and stories of their ancestry. This movement isn't driven by nostalgia so much as by a desire to fill in cultural blanks left by colonisation or modernisation. From wearing handwoven fabrics and reviving indigenous names to learning nearly-forgotten dialects, many are actively piecing together what was lost—or taken. It's a deeply personal form of resistance and remembrance, reshaping identity through lineage rather than trend. For Gen Zers and younger millennials, this return to roots also sits comfortably alongside contemporary life. It's not unusual to see someone alternate between streetwear and traditional dress, or quote pop lyrics one moment and an ancestral proverb the next. Rather than viewing heritage as something static or solemn, Gen Zers are reclaiming it as dynamic, fluid and lived. This renewed relationship with tradition often bypasses institutions. It takes shape through family stories, community spaces and online platforms, where cultural pride is shared not as a performance but as a healing experience. NOW READ Beyond basketball: how one trainer built a life, a brand and a community from scratch Behind the Gen.T list: meet the industry veterans selecting Asia's Leaders of Tomorrow Frédéric Boulin: 'What Park Hyatt Saigon created in a short time in Vietnam could take 15 years in Europe' Credits Words: (Additional) Angela Nicole Guiral Images: Getty Images
Vogue Arabia
25-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
Have You Tried Cycle Syncing Yet?
The menstrual cycle impacts nearly everything — mood, energy, appetite, weight, productivity, and behaviour — everything. As much as we like to feel in control, hormones often take the lead and run the show. Considering they play such a central role in the female body, instead of ignoring them, it makes sense to listen and plan accordingly. And that's where cycle syncing comes in. It's a form of biohacking that understands and works with your body, and involves aligning your lifestyle decisions based on the phases of your menstrual cycle. 'When you start syncing your lifestyle to your cycle, you stop feeling like you're 'all over the place' every week,' explains Mitun De Sarkar, UAE-based clinical dietitian. Instead of viewing your period as an isolated event, cycle syncing is about honouring the entire cycle, believes integrative nutritionist and health psychologist, Karishma Shah. 'It recognises hormones, mood, energy, and the metabolism shift each week, and so should your lifestyle,' she adds. 'Cycle syncing helps you understand when to lean in, when to pull back, and how to nourish your body in a way that supports hormonal harmony.' Read More Are we Overdosing on Health and Beauty Supplements? The sudden surge in nutraceuticals has got people reaching out for pills and powders instead of real food The benefits This technique offers a range of benefits — from reducing PMS and improving fertility to balancing mood, boosting energy, enhancing skin quality, and supporting weight management. 'It helps women train smarter, not harder, by aligning with the body's changing biomechanics, fatigue levels, and joint stability across each phase,' says Dr Karishma Sanghavi, sports physiotherapist and certified MDT from McKenzie Institute India. Even in skincare, it promotes greater body awareness. Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London, notes that while research is still emerging, there's biological plausibility behind hormone fluctuations affecting the skin. 'By tracking these shifts and adjusting skincare accordingly, individuals may better manage concerns like oiliness, breakouts, sensitivity, or dullness,' she explains. Read More 3 Simple Rules for a Healthy Gut Beyond its well-known digestive functions, the microbiota plays a role in regulating our entire metabolism. It may modify our mood and even our gene expression. What if it were possible to optimise it with raw food? Taking the wheel: a guide to cycle syncing Menstrual phase (Day 1 - 5) Oestrogen and progesterone are at their lowest; the body is in rest-and-release mode, shedding the uterine lining with low energy levels.
Vogue Arabia
25-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
Are GLP-1s a Cure for Menopausal Weight Gain?
It was night sweats, wild mood swings, and, ironically, significant hair loss that first sent Kate, 54, a New York–based hairstylist, to her doctor in her late 40s looking for relief; she was prescribed an estrogen patch. 'It made me feel like myself again,' says Kate, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy. 'I was sleeping, I wasn't losing my temper, and my mood really evened out, but I was still overweight.' Despite a healthy diet and regular exercise, there were a dozen or so pounds that just wouldn't budge. So she started taking Wegovy. For Shelby Meade, 55, an LA-based publicist, regular doses of estrogen helped temper her sometimes 30-day periods but did nothing for her perpetually bloated state. 'I was heavier than I'd ever been and there was a constant pressure on my lower abdomen,' says Meade, who, like Kate, exercised regularly and had a healthy diet. A family doctor suggested Wegovy. 'I just wanted to feel better in my body, and that flipped a switch,' says Meade. 'It was a game changer.' While vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats are recurring topics in conversations about menopause, weight gain is just as pervasive: Around 60 percent of women gain weight during this transition, putting on an average of 1.5 pounds per year throughout their 40s and 50s. 'I have 16 patients a day, and usually 16 out of 16 are reporting weight gain to me,' says Tara Iyer, MD, medical director of the Menopause and Midlife Clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts. 'Many had never struggled with weight but now have gained 15 or 20 pounds.' And that will happen to women without any changes in diet or exercise. 'It's a very unfair paradigm,' says Caroline Messer, MD, a New York City–based endocrinologist. Much of that midlife weight gain tends to be concentrated in the midsection, earning the unfortunate moniker 'meno belly.' This happens due to a combination of factors. Estrogen—which, much like the collagen in our faces, we lose at a rapid rate come midlife—has many important functions related to weight and body composition: It helps women maintain muscle mass, and it contributes to the regulation of appetite and metabolism. 'Essentially women are losing muscle, gaining fat tissue, and where we store our weight changes,' says Iyer. A drop in estrogen can lead to insulin resistance, meaning that it becomes more difficult for the body to regulate sugar, and for many women that glucose gets turned into fat. Addressing excess weight around the midsection isn't just about vanity, it can pose a health risk: Associated metabolic complications can include fatty liver disease and hypertension, the latter of which, says Reena Bose, MD, an internal medicine and obesity medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, increases almost 30 percent with even a 10-pound weight gain. The American Heart Association also highlights the menopause transition as a time of heightened risk for women's cardiovascular health. The hormonal changes of menopause can make the weight gain more resistant to traditional diet and lifestyle adjustments, says Peminda Cabandugama, MD. But studies have found that GLP-1s can be a very effective reinforcement of diet and exercise GLP-1s—that is, the class of drugs that includes semaglutide, packaged in brand-name form as Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide, like Mounjaro—'act on estrogen receptors in the body, and they improve insulin resistance,' explains Judi Chervenak, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Montefiore with a clinical focus on menopause. They also slow GI motility, so you feel full. That last part 'can be essential because women are often simply hungrier during the menopause transition,' says Bose, adding that estrogen is also responsible for keeping the body's hunger-balancing hormones, ghrelin and leptin (which tell us when we're full), in check. The hormonal changes of menopause can make the weight gain more resistant to traditional diet and lifestyle adjustments, says Peminda Cabandugama, MD, an endocrinologist and obesity specialist at Cleveland Clinic. But studies, like a recent one in the journal Obesity, found that GLP-1s can be a very effective reinforcement of diet and exercise. Research is also growing about the potential benefits of combining GLP-1s with the menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) that has long been recommended, and there are new companies to support the regimen. Alloy Women's Health, an expansive digital menopause platform that connects board-certified physicians to women across the country (a boon in health care deserts), launched with estrogen creams and patches, but earlier this year they started offering GLP-1s as well. 'Women really wanted it,' says Monica Molenaar, cofounder and co-CEO of Alloy. Now 35 percent of Alloy's customers are on both a GLP-1 and hormonal treatment. Another platform, Noom, started as a digital weight-management platform and first offered semaglutide in 2023; it expanded into hormonal treatment this year. 'These drugs are addressing different problems, but they work together in the sense that they both bring down inflammation,' says Karen Mann, MD, medical director at Noom. Messer is a huge proponent of coupling the treatments (she favors low doses of tirzepatide, which often has fewer side effects than semaglutide). A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that overweight or obese postmenopausal women using hormonal treatments and semaglutide lost about 30 percent more weight than those using semaglutide alone. Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, an internal medicine doctor specializing in women's health at the Mayo Clinic and one of the authors of the study, emphasizes that the findings don't necessarily mean that hormone therapy supercharges the effects of semaglutide, but rather that hormones help the body respond more optimally to the drugs. (A larger study is expected to be published soon.) In lay terms, it makes sense: Hot flashes, night sweats, mood shifts, joint pain, and sleep disruptions—all of that can dramatically impact your quality of life and, in turn, lead to weight gain. There are doctors, of course, who remain conservative about prescribing GLP-1s to women who don't fit a specific set of criteria. 'We have to be careful about using them willy-nilly, like with someone, for example, who has a normal BMI and may just not be happy because of a slight increase in body weight,' says Chervenak. 'These drugs are not without risk.' There are the common side effects of GLP-1s, like gastrointestinal issues, abdominal pain, and nausea, and women should assess their risk factors with their doctor before starting any treatment. But there is also a growing sense that women no longer want to suffer silently. 'We have this societal norm where we make women in particular wait until they get diseased or are in crisis before we say, 'Here's a treatment,' ' says Alloy cofounder Molenaar. For some women the benefits of these drugs far outweigh any potential risks. Carolyn Chang, MD, 58, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco, experienced some of the expected negatives of Ozempic when she added it to her hormonal regimen but says it's been worth it: Her mood has improved, her joint pain is gone, and she is no longer prediabetic. That threat of diabetes was part of the reason Chang decided to start taking Ozempic, but the other was, she admits, her appearance. 'I'm a plastic surgeon so, yes, my presentation matters to me,' says Chang. Many women may feel shy to express it in such blunt terms, but put in other words, it has a straightforward appeal: There doesn't need to be a divide between feeling better in one's body and feeling better about it.
