Down
in the
small intestine, the stimulation caused by the bitter taste prompts your liver to increase its production of bile, and your gallbladder to increase bile excretion.2, 3,11 Bile is necessary for
fat digestion and the absorption of
fat - soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D and E. 12 Healthy bile flow helps rid the liver of waste products such as oxidized cholesterol and hormonal metabolites, prevents gall stone formation, and provides lubrication of the
intestines, easing the passage of stool.4, 12 It should not be surprising that by enhancing movement of waste products out of the liver, bitter herbs have been found to exert a protective effect
in liver conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.2