10 FOOD HABITS THAT DAMAGE LIVER
The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, digestion, protein synthesis, and metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It also stores essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, iron, and glycogen. The liver's function depends on our food habits and lifestyle. Maintaining disciplined eating habits and a healthy lifestyle can keep our liver healthy, while unhealthy habits can lead to disease.
Various food habits can damage the liver if practised regularly. Here are 10 examples from Shlloka Joshii, Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher and Lifestyle Expert:
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Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Regular and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to conditions such as alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Alcoholic fatty liver is characterised by the accumulation of fat in liver cells, leading to fatigue, weakness, abdominal discomfort, and unintentional weight loss. Severe cases may result in liver scarring, liver failure, or liver cancer.
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High-Fat Diet: Consuming fried foods high in saturated and trans fats can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver, causing inflammation and potential liver damage.
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Added Sugar and Sugary Beverages: Foods and beverages high in added sugars contribute to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can lead to high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and obesity.
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Processed Foods: Processed foods containing high levels of trans fats, excessive salt, and additives can lead to inflammation and liver damage over time.
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High Sodium Intake: A high-sodium diet contributes to fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and stress on the liver, increasing the risk of liver failure.
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Raw or Undercooked Meat: Consuming undercooked meat, chicken, or shellfish can sometimes contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause liver infections.
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Excessive Intake of Nutritional Supplements: Prolonged intake of nutritional supplements without proper guidelines can lead to liver damage due to excessive protein deposition, causing inflammation and fatty liver.
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Unhealthy Weight Loss Diets: Crash diets or diets promoting rapid weight loss can release toxins from fat cells, burdening the liver. Very low-calorie diets may lack the essential nutrients necessary for proper liver function.
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Late Night Dinner and Eating Heavy Dinner: Eating rich and heavy food before bedtime can strain the liver, impairing protein synthesis, glucose, and fat metabolism, leading to increased cholesterol levels, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
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Eating Too Quickly: Eating too quickly can lead to indigestion and liver damage due to improper digestion.