Avoid these foods for liver health, or liver damage is certain, warns American doctor

News Topical, Digital Desk : Our body has many vital organs, but the liver is one that's often overlooked. It functions like the body's cleaning factory. Its primary functions are to purify the blood, remove toxins, aid in the digestion of nutrients, and store energy. However, today's busy and junk-food-filled lifestyle is taking a particularly severe toll on the liver.

According to 2023 data, approximately 2 million people worldwide die each year from liver disease, meaning one in every 25 deaths is due to liver damage. And this number is steadily increasing among young people. According to a report, approximately 4.5 million people in the United States alone have been diagnosed with liver disease. In India, cases of fatty liver and cirrhosis are also steadily increasing. In this context, an American doctor has issued a warning regarding liver health. So, let's learn what to avoid for liver health, as liver damage is inevitable. 

American doctor's warning

These days, a disease called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is spreading rapidly. This disease is not caused by alcohol consumption, but rather by poor diet and a poor lifestyle. According to the American Liver Foundation, one in four people in the United States suffers from this disease. This disease causes a gradual accumulation of fat in the liver, affecting its function. If left untreated, it can progress to serious conditions like liver failure or cancer. 

Until now, people thought that heavy foods like ghee, butter, or meat were the most harmful to the liver. But Dr. Adrian Sznaider, a renowned American functional medicine physician, has a different opinion. In a recent video, he explained that the most dangerous thing for the liver isn't oil or meat, but high-fructose corn syrup. 

What is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)?

HFCS is a type of artificial sugar commonly added to processed and packaged foods for sweetness. It's especially found in soft drinks and energy drinks, cookies, cakes, candy, breakfast cereals, ready-made sauces and juices, and flavored yogurts. Dr. Sznaider explains that HFCS converts to fat in the liver much faster than glucose, which directly impacts the liver. 

Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables, but artificial fructose, such as HFCS or packaged sugar, is the sugar that causes harm. When you consume this type of fructose in large quantities, it can impair gut health, reduce beneficial bacteria, cause fat storage in the liver, and cause liver inflammation and damage. This is why HFCS is considered the most dangerous for the liver. 

What to do to protect the liver?

According to Dr. Sznaider and many other health experts, if you want to keep your liver healthy for the long term, you need to change some habits. Avoid cold drinks, packaged juices, energy drinks, cakes, biscuits, candy, processed snacks, ready-made dressings, chili sauce, tomato sauce, overly sweet yogurt, and flavored yogurt. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, eat fresh homemade meals, drink plenty of water, get some exercise daily, and stay away from alcohol and tobacco.

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