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Home > Nutrition > 9 Best and 4 Worst Foods for Your Liver Health

9 Best and 4 Worst Foods for Your Liver Health

June 11, 2021 - Updated on September 16, 2022
7 min read
By Darcy Rhodes, RD, CD | Registered Dietitian

In this article:

  • Functions of the Liver
  • Illnesses or Diseases Associated With Liver Damage
  • Food Items Harmful for the Liver
  • Foods that are Best for Liver Health
  • Final Word

Your liver is a complicated organ. It plays a role in over 500 functions in the human body!

foods good for liver health

In this article, we’re going to look at the main functions of the liver, some diseases of the liver, specific foods that harm the liver, and the best foods to improve liver health.

Functions of the Liver

The liver has seven main functions, although it plays a role in many more.

  1. The liver metabolizes protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
  2. It stores and activates fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
  3. It forms bile, a substance critical for digestion.
  4. It converts ammonia, which can be extremely toxic to the body, into urea so it can be excreted by the kidneys.
  5. It metabolizes steroids, such as certain medications.
  6. It metabolizes and detoxifies alcohol, drugs, and other toxic organic compounds.
  7. It acts as a filter and flood chamber, so that bacteria cannot enter the bloodstream and cause damage.
  8. In addition to these, the liver also plays a key role in the creation and absorption of cholesterol.

Illnesses or Diseases Associated With Liver Damage

main types of liver disease

There are four main types of liver disease:

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  1. Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, is usually caused by a virus and can be type A, B, C, D, or E. Types A and E are spread by the fecal or oral route and are infectious. Types B, C, and D are spread by blood or body fluids. Infections are often acute, but they can become chronic.
  2. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most common type of liver disease in the United States, mainly because of its association with obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and metabolic syndrome. Simply put, NAFLD is the buildup of fats on your liver from excess dietary consumption. However, it can progress to fat-induced hepatitis and even cirrhosis.
  3. Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, is primarily caused by excessive alcohol use. As mentioned above, it can also be a consequence of NAFLD.
  4. End-stage liver disease occurs when the liver is so damaged from various causes that it can no longer function well, causing a number of problems such as fluid buildup in your body, blood pressure irregularity, confusion, and malnutrition.

Food Items Harmful for the Liver

foods harmful for liver health

You certainly want to avoid damage to the liver and the progression of disease! Here are some foods that have been shown to cause damage to the liver or increase the risk of liver disease.

1. Fatty foods

Fatty foods, if in excess, can play a role in building up liver fat and increasing the risk of NAFLD. Specifically, foods high in saturated fats can contribute to higher risk. (1) Essentially, the liver can make its own fat, and saturated fat contributes to the process.

2. Sugar and starch

Sugar and starch include both sugar-sweetened beverages, which contain high-fructose corn syrup, and sweet foods, which also tend to have a lot of fat.

Fructose interrupts the chain of normal sugar metabolism called glycolysis and the creation of glucose (gluconeogenesis), (2) and it has been shown to overload the process, producing excess energy, which is ultimately stored in the liver. (3)

Fructose is delivered to the liver more readily because it is absorbed through the portal vein, which serves the liver. (1) The studies are not conclusive, but all the same, sugar and starch should be consumed in moderation to avoid excess calories.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the primary causes of cirrhosis. The liver is where the alcohol is metabolized and detoxified, and too much of it can overwhelm the liver. Alcohol also tends to contain a lot of sugar and calories, which both can contribute to fat buildup.

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4. Salt

Sodium contributes to the regulation of water throughout the body. Since the liver is a flood and filter, too much salt may lead to fluid buildup in the body. Foods that are highly processed and contain sugar and fat also tend to contain a lot of salt. This overabundance contributes to the high risk of NAFLD.

Foods that are Best for Liver Health

Now that you know which foods harm the liver, take a look at some of the foods that benefit the liver! Here are some of the best ones.

1. Coffee

Coffee may have anti-inflammatory and some antioxidant benefits. It has been shown in studies to lower the risk of liver disease. (4) Researchers say that coffee is a plant food; therefore, it has the health benefits of substances called polyphenols. (5)

ALSO READ: What 3 Cups of Coffee Per Day Can Do for Your Liver?

2. Blueberries

Blueberries contain insoluble fiber and antioxidants. One study found that fruit fiber, in particular, contributed to the increase in liver health markers. (6)

coffee, blueberries, and grapes are good for liver health

3. Grapes

Grapes contain insoluble fiber and antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because oxidative stress has been associated with liver damage, and a randomized study found that a combination of diet and antioxidant supplementation had the greatest effect on health. (7) In the same study, diet alone did show a significant effect.

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4. Beetroot

Beets would have the same effect as grapes. They contain a class of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.

5. Nuts

Nuts, particularly walnuts, are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and have been shown to support homeostasis in the metabolic pathway. (8) This means they can help prevent the liver from absorbing too much or too little fat.

beetroot, nuts, and fatty fish benefit the liver

6. Fatty fish

Fatty fish contains primarily omega-3 fatty acids, which have long been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. A review of recent studies has shown that omega-3s and PUFAs have a significant benefit on metabolic risk factors, liver fat content, and liver enzymes. (9)

7. Olive oil

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). This type of fat is beneficial for cardiovascular health, but it can also benefit liver health because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

8. Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains soluble fiber and can help with cholesterol reduction. Additionally, diets high in fiber may help lower this risk of liver cancer. (10)

olive oil, oatmeal, and garlic are beneficial for liver health

9. Garlic

Garlic is a prebiotic, which is a substance that feeds the probiotics in your gut. Several recent studies in both humans and animals have shown an interesting connection between the prevalence of NAFLD and gut bacteria. (11) This is an emerging trend and it underscores how important your gut is to your health!

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These are just a few of the foods that are beneficial for the liver! Others include green tea, grapefruit, foods that are high in antioxidants, and foods high in healthy fats.

A Mediterranean diet is recommended now for liver health as well as cardiovascular health and blood pressure management. (12) It often includes the foods listed above and other whole grains, fatty fish, lots of fruits and veggies, and healthy fats.

Final Word

The liver plays an important role in the body in metabolizing and detoxifying substances. Diets high in sugar, fat, and salt contribute to the buildup of fat on the liver and NAFLD.

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To reduce your risk, consume a diet high in whole grains, omega 3s, healthy fats, fiber, and lots of antioxidants, such as the Mediterranean diet.

References
  1. CR; SSCDEK. Role of Dietary Fructose and Hepatic De Novo Lipogenesis in Fatty Liver Disease. Digestive diseases and sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26856717/.
  2. MJ; THKWS. Fructose Consumption, Lipogenesis, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28878197/.
  3. KL; S. Sugar consumption, metabolic disease and obesity: The state of the controversy. Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26376619/.
  4. Poole R; Kennedy OJ; Roderick P; Fallowfield JA; Hayes PC; Parkes J; Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29167102/.
  5. S; KHKKM. Health Effects of Coffee: Mechanism Unraveled? Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32575704/.
  6. Cantero I; Abete I; Monreal JI; Martinez JA; Zulet MA; Fruit Fiber Consumption Specifically Improves Liver Health Status in Obese Subjects under Energy Restriction. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28657604/.
  7. Abenavoli L; Greco M; Milic N; Accattato F; Foti D; Gulletta E; Luzza F; Effect of Mediterranean Diet and Antioxidant Formulation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Study. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28805669/.
  8. Margină D; Ungurianu A; Purdel C; Nițulescu GM; Tsoukalas D; Sarandi E; Thanasoula M; Burykina TI; Tekos F; Buha A; Nikitovic D; Kouretas D; Tsatsakis AM; Analysis of the intricate effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols on inflammatory pathways in health and disease. Food and chemical toxicology: an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32640331/.
  9. Musa-Veloso K; Venditti C; Lee HY; Darch M; Floyd S; West S; Simon R; Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled intervention studies on the effectiveness of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nutrition reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29917092/.
  10. Yang W; Ma Y; Liu Y; Smith-Warner SA; Simon TG; Chong DQ; Qi Q; Meyerhardt JA; Giovannucci EL; Chan AT; Zhang X; Association of Intake of Whole Grains and Dietary Fiber With Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in US Adults. JAMA oncology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30789662/.
  11. P; SZG. The links between the gut microbiome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cellular and molecular life sciences: CMLS. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30683985/.
  12. George ES; Forsyth A; Itsiopoulos C; Nicoll AJ; Ryan M; Sood S; Roberts SK; Tierney AC; Practical Dietary Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29438460/.
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