Introduction
Eating habits can have a major impact on your overall health, and your liver is no exception. According to science, there is one particular eating habit that is the worst for your liver. Eating too much processed food is the number one worst eating habit for your liver. Processed foods are high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, all of which can lead to fatty liver disease, inflammation, and other liver-related issues. Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives to processed foods that can help keep your liver healthy. In this article, we will discuss the #1 worst eating habit for your liver, as well as some healthier alternatives that you can incorporate into your diet.
The #1 Worst Eating Habit for Your Liver, Says Science — Eat This Not That
Eating habits can have a major impact on your liver health. According to science, there is one particular eating habit that is the worst for your liver. If you want to keep your liver healthy, you should avoid this habit and instead opt for healthier alternatives.
The #1 worst eating habit for your liver is consuming too much sugar. Eating too much sugar can lead to fatty liver disease, which is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. This can lead to inflammation, scarring, and even cirrhosis. Too much sugar can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can further damage your liver.
Instead of consuming too much sugar, you should opt for healthier alternatives. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is the best way to keep your liver healthy. You should also limit your intake of processed foods, which are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Additionally, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly can help keep your liver healthy.
By avoiding the #1 worst eating habit for your liver and opting for healthier alternatives, you can help keep your liver healthy and functioning properly. Eating a balanced diet, limiting processed foods, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly are all great ways to keep your liver healthy.
Our bodies react to what we consume; the good, the bad, and the questionable. Sometimes we can’t help but crave foods like potato chips, ice cream, or even fast-food french fries. As good as these foods taste, they can negatively impact our health—especially our liver. The liver is susceptible to problems like liver disease, and it can be caused by your diet.
In fact, further research suggests that consuming moderate amounts of added sugars may double the production of fat in the liver, in turn leading to the development of fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, ingesting even moderate amounts of that sugar may lead to a change in your metabolism.
A study reported in the Journal of Hepatology concluded that fructose (sugar) in a liquid form may impact liver metabolism.
Researchers recruited 94 healthy male volunteers, ages 18 to 30 years old, all with a body mass index under 24 kg/m2- a moderate weight. The researchers selected participants under a certain weight to decrease the odds of recruiting people who had possibly already developed increased liver fat content.
Using tracers (substances that can be followed as they move through the body), the researchers found the participants did not consume more calories than they did before the study. However, it was reported that even though the participants consumed the same number of calories, adding sugar-sweetened drinks and consuming fructose impacted their overall health, including an increase in fat production.
“This was still the case more than 12 hours after the last meal or sugar consumption,” said lead researcher Dr. Philipp Gerber of the University of Zurich in the study review.
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The American Heart Association advises people to not consume more than 6% of their daily calories from added sugar. For example, most American women should consume only 100 calories (6 teaspoons or roughly 25 grams) of added sugar a day, and 150 calories (9 teaspoons, 36 grams) for men.
To put this into perspective, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the average American consumes 17 teaspoons a day, sometimes more. This is due to the fact that many of the processed foods we consume contain added sugars, and some of them are sneakier than others—like these 14 Sneaky Sources of Added Sugars. These can include anything from breakfast cereals and pre-packaged cheese to microwave meals and bottled beverages.
If you’re looking to keep your diet clean and your liver healthy, try looking at Diet Habits That Are Terrible for Your Liver, According to Science.