Worst Food Habits for Your Liver

The liver is an important organ. It regulates chemicals in the blood, makes bile and metabolizes foods. It also stores and processes drugs. These are only a few of the many functions of the liver. Without a healthy and functioning liver, all these functions could be compromised. The liver can heal itself from damage much faster than other organs. This is good, but you shouldn’t rely on its remarkable regenerative abilities. Instead, ensure to take proper care of your liver from the beginning.

Your liver function can be negatively or positively affected by your eating habits. Therefore, it is important to make informed choices for your liver and body. Here are four bad eating habits that can harm your liver.

Sugar overload

You probably know that sugary drinks and foods can cause health problems. Added sugar may raise blood pressure, cause chronic inflammation, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. It may surprise you that the amount of sugar in your diet can increase the liver’s fat production, which can cause fatty liver disease or type 2 diabetes.

Sugars can be different from one another. It is important to distinguish the sugar found naturally in fruits and vegetables. This sugar is not intended to harm the liver and is not linked to added sugars in processed foods and beverages. One study showed that fructose-sweetened drinks had twice the fat production of those who drank glucose-sweetened beverages. The study also found that sucrose (the most common form of sugar consumed by humans) increased fat synthesis slightly more than fructose.

Take This! Tip: Limit your sugar intake to 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men to reduce the strain on your liver. This is according to the American Heart Association.

Consuming too many processed foods

This broad category includes many frozen, refrigerated, packaged and shelf-stable foods and drinks. We know that added sugar can hurt your liver health. Hot dogs, pepperoni, cured meats, and common foods such as bread, pastries, and cereals can also contain harmful ingredients.

One recent study showed that a higher intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additional research shows that high sodium intake, a nutrient often found in processed foods, can also be associated with an increased risk of NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis.

You Should Eat This! Tip: Although a healthy diet may include some processed foods, avoiding added sugar, nitrates and nitrites are best. Also, choose products with less sodium and less processing. Whole grain bread, for example, has more essential nutrients such as fiber than white bread. For added flavor, focus your food intake on whole foods.

Too many fried foods

French fries, chips, and pastries – oh my! Many of your favorite foods could fall under this category. However, your liver may be working overtime due to the high-fat content. Fried foods often contain low-quality fats like corn oil. This is because it undergoes extensive processing. It also contains high levels of omega-6 fat, which can cause inflammation in your body if consumed excessively or deficiently.

Fried foods can be high in sodium, another risk factor for liver disease. They are also often served with sauces, toppings and dips high in added sugar.

Enjoy This! Tip: Avoid fried foods and use a better oil if you plan on cooking at home. Avocado oil and peanut oil are better for frying because they have a higher smoke point than olive oils and other oils. Olive oil is great for cooking at lower temperatures and is full of healthy fats.

Avoiding fruits and vegetables

Produce is rich in valuable nutrients that are not as abundant in other foods, like antioxidants and fiber. Certain fruits and vegetables may contain compounds that can protect the liver and improve its detoxification function. Cruciferous vegetables demonstrated the liver’s ability to function properly like Brussels sprouts. Also, the liver-protective properties of antioxidants in grapes, grapefruits, and cactus Pear fruit are.