Keep the toxins out!
At least among nutritionists, it's common knowledge that drinking alcohol is bad for your liver. The chemicals in your body that break down scar tissue are harmed by alcohol, making them less effective. As a result, persons who consume large amounts of alcohol frequently develop a significant scar tissue buildup in their liver. That tissue gradually takes the place of regular, healthy cells, causing the organ to fail.
Drinking alcohol is, thus, harmful to your liver and overall health. But what if you could genuinely boost your liver health by drinking other substances? We talked to a few nutritionists about the best ways to drink for a healthy liver.
1. Drink Plenty of Water Daily.
This one may appear simple, but it's critical. According to Jamie Feit, MS, RD, owner of Jamie Feit Nutrition, LLC, and expert at Testing.com, water is crucial for overall nutrition, but it is essential for liver health. It improves biological functioning and lowers your risk of disease. Water or even seltzer will suffice, according to Feit. Whatever method you use to receive your water, Feit recommends that you drink half your body weight in ounces every day.
2. Don't be afraid of coffee and green tea.
Dr. Rashmi Byakodi highlighted that studies have shown that coffee has excellent hepatoprotective properties—in layman's terms, it may protect your liver. According to the findings, coffee drinking can help prevent liver cancer and chronic liver disease and minimize the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis.
If you don't like coffee, don't worry: green tea extract, which contains catechins, has been found to reduce liverfat levels and inflammation. It accomplishes this by lowering oxidative stress. Begin sipping!
3. Try Beetroot Juice.
Could beet juice be the next big thing? We're not sure, but the specialists we spoke with believe that beetroot juice is crucial in maintaining a healthy liver.
According to nutrition and dietetics expert Dr. Dimitar Marinov, Beetroot juice is "probably the most antioxidant-dense drink you can discover."
It's high in betalains, a type of antioxidant shown to improve liver function and minimize oxidative damage and inflammation.
Dr. Byakodi agrees with Marinov and adds that beetroot juice has been demonstrated to change signs related to the forms of liver damage induced by alcohol.
4. Opt for non-alcoholic beverages.
Water, coffee, green tea, and beetroot juice all have one thing in common: they're all non-alcoholic beverages.
"Contrary to what we have always believed, there is no safe amount of alcohol, and drinking alcohol in moderation is not healthy," says Dr. Marinov.
He noted a new study published by JAMA Network that found that any amount of alcohol is harmful, debunking the notion that drinking in moderation might lead to a longer lifetime. According to the study, the liver is one of the most badly affected organs when alcohol is consumed.
5. Opt for sugar-free or low-sugar beverages.
The liver is not simply harmed by
alcohol. According to Dr. Marinov, sugar is another major cause of the liver
deficiency. When you take too much of a sweet carbohydrate, it cannot be stored
effectively, and the liver converts the glucose to fat. When fats accumulate in
the liver, the organ might become infected. So, even if you're not drinking
alcohol, that sugary mocktail could wreak havoc on your liver.