Foods That Can Damage the Liver

Foods That Can Damage the Liver

The liver is the largest organ in our body, weighing 1.4-1.7 kg, soft, pinkish-brown, triangular in shape. As with every organ, the liver is of great importance for us to lead a healthy life. So how well do you protect it?

The liver turns what you eat into nutrients your body can use. (For example, it converts starch to sugar, produces bile for the digestion of fats.) It produces blood clotting factors, enzymes and other proteins. It stores iron, vitamins, and energy sources such as fats and sugars. It removes toxic substances that can be harmful to your body, such as drugs and alcohol.

The liver is an organ that emerges with its self-renewal feature. More than half of the liver can be taken from a donor for organ transplantation without impaired liver function or other serious damage. The liver is the only organ in the body that can renew itself after a large part of it has been removed. The liver, which is partially removed, returns to its normal size between 7 days and 3 months. But this can give irreversible results in different situations.

So how well do you protect your liver? Let's see together.

Foods That Can Damage the Liver

Sugar

Sugar can damage the liver. The organ uses a type of sugar called fructose to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup cause fatty deposits that can lead to liver disease.

Herbal Supplements

For example, some people take an herb called kava kava for menopausal symptoms or to help them get relief. But research shows that it can prevent the liver from working properly. This can lead to hepatitis and liver failure.

Extra Pounds

Extra fat can build up in your liver cells and lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. As a result, your liver may swell. Over time, it can harden and injure liver tissue.

Vitamin A

Your body needs vitamin A, and it's okay to get it from plants like fresh fruits and vegetables, especially red, orange and yellow ones. However, if you take supplements containing high doses of vitamin A, it can be a problem for your liver.

Soft Drinks (Fizzy or Sugary)

Research shows that people who drink a lot of soft drinks are more likely to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Paracetamol: Acetaminophen

You have a backache, a headache, or a cold and you reach for a pain reliever. Make sure you get the right amount! If you accidentally take too much of anything containing acetaminophen, you can damage your liver.

Trans Fat

Trans fats are a man-made fat found in some packaged foods and baked goods. A diet high in trans fat increases your chances of gaining weight. This is not good for your liver.

Alcohol

You probably already know that drinking too much is bad for your liver. However, you can also damage your liver, with or without an alcoholic. A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, a regular beer 12 ounces or 1.5 ounces of liquor is sufficient. These rates are ideal up to once a day for women and up to twice a day for men.

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