A variety of foods and beverages can interfere with proper liver function, and none of them are typically considered part of a healthy diet. Foods that damage the liver include fast food and highly processed foods that tend to be extremely high in sodium, sugar, and chemicals that are not liver friendly. Eating foods that damage the liver can lead to serious health problems.
The liver acts as the body’s filter and metabolizes all of the food we eat and beverages we drink. Good health and longevity require proper liver function. A regular diet that includes drinks and foods that damage the liver may bring about deadly illnesses such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver disease.
Most canned goods, such as fruit, soup, and vegetables, represent the type of processed foods that should be avoided. Processed meat or cold cuts, condiments, and some dairy products can also damage the liver. Reading food labels is an easy and efficient way to be aware of what is in food we buy. Words that seem impossible to pronounce and look unfamiliar frequently indicate a food item that is not a healthy liver food.
Besides food, a number of other substances should be avoided when trying to maintain a healthy liver. Caffeine, soda, and alcohol all contribute to poor liver function, but alcohol is the number-one culprit when it comes to liver damage. Alcohol can cause cirrhosis, one of the most severe liver diseases, by permanently destroying liver cells. This is not an easy thing to do either, because the liver can naturally regenerate itself. Up to 75 percent of the liver can be removed, and within a few weeks the missing cells will return and the liver can function normally again.
Acetaminophen, especially when mixed with alcohol, can cause damage to the liver. So can chemicals that are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. This football-sized organ is the largest in the human body, and it performs a number of important functions.
At the top of the list is metabolizing food, nutrients, and toxins before they move into the rest of the body. Everything we consume passes through the liver, including food, drinks, and drugs. The liver deals with airborne poisons, additives in food and water, and any number of toxins that are eaten, drunk, or absorbed through the skin.
Eating healthy food for the liver is one of the best ways to prevent liver damage. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that help the liver do its job and keep it clean. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower contribute to good liver health, as do high-fiber foods such as apples, brown rice, and strawberries. Garlic and onions provide a number of health benefits, and they can also be a flavorful salt substitute.