The liver is a vital organ responsible for digestion and metabolism. Even minor liver damage can be life-threatening. Below, we detail the most harmful habits for liver health in daily life.
1. Delaying urination after waking up.
Dr. Daniel Paradis, an expert from the European Association for the Study of the Liver, explains that the body detoxifies through urination, sweating, and bowel movements.Urination upon waking helps flush toxins accumulated overnight, preventing their buildup and liver "poisoning."
2. Insufficient sleep.
Many people today have habits of working or entertaining themselves late into the night, but staying up late is the easiest way to develop liver disease. The reason is that during sleep, the body enters a self-repair mode. Frequent late nights not only lead to insufficient sleep and reduced physical resistance but also interfere with the liver's nighttime self-repair process. For those already infected with the hepatitis virus, staying up late can further aggravate the condition.Professor Neil Colin, an expert from the American Sleep Association, advises that "night owls" should adjust their schedules to sleep before 11 PM whenever possible, ensuring 7-8 hours of sleep nightly. This allows the liver to effectively detoxify and maintains overall health.
3. Overeating.
Many recognize that overeating burdens the digestive system and may trigger fatty liver disease. Dr. Paradi points out that binge eating not only harms gastrointestinal health but also significantly increases free radicals in the body. The liver's critical role is to combat free radicals, eliminate toxins, and purify the blood. The more free radicals present, the more severe the damage to liver function.
4. Skipping breakfast.Nutrition experts state that eating breakfast helps neutralize stomach acid and protect the liver, reducing the risk of various diseases such as pancreatitis, diabetes, gallstones, and constipation. Dr. Hemit Suri, an Ontario-based holistic nutritionist in Canada, explains that a healthy breakfast prolongs satiety and prevents liver damage.
Dr. Shidhacharan Zala Hussain, a registered nutrition therapist in India, notes that many processed foods contain multiple food additives like preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners. These additives contain various chemicals that are difficult for the human body to break down. Once ingested, they increase the liver's detoxification burden and can induce liver damage.
6. Taking too many medications.
A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology indicates that long-term use of medications like painkillers can increase the liver's detoxification burden, leading to liver damage. Dr. Kenneth Simpson, lead researcher and specialist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, notes that numerous drugs and their metabolites can easily cause liver damage, resulting in drug-induced hepatitis (DILI).These include antibiotics, antipyretic analgesics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, sedatives, antithyroid drugs, antineoplastic agents, hypoglycemic agents, and cardiovascular medications. Therefore, medications must be taken strictly according to medical advice and under a doctor's guidance.
7. Preference for fried foods.
A study reported by CBS News found that consuming fried foods for just one month can cause noticeable changes in the liver, triggering enzyme alterations similar to hepatitis. Dr. Drew Oden, a renowned American medical expert, notes that the accumulation of fats and saturated fatty acids can lead to fatty liver disease. Unhealthy cooking oils increase the risk of heart disease and liver disease. In comparison, olive oil and sesame oil are healthier options.
8.Excessive alcohol consumption.
Dr. Nimo Ash, a hepatologist at Israel's Zef Medical Research Center, states that excessive drinking reduces the liver's ability to purify blood, leading to increased toxins in the body and inducing liver damage and various diseases. Additionally, alcohol abuse can easily cause liver poisoning and trigger hepatitis.Chronic excessive drinking can lead to cirrhosis. Dr. Ash noted that consuming more than two high-proof alcoholic drinks (25 ml each) daily can damage the liver.
9. Eating undercooked or charred foods.
Dr. Hussein stated that undercooked foods or overcooked, charred foods (especially meats) can also cause liver damage.Studies reveal that drunken shrimp, raw oysters, and undercooked shellfish often harbor bacteria and parasites. Acute gastroenteritis or dysentery from these can worsen liver disease and even trigger hepatic coma. This concludes our overview of the most harmful liver-damaging behaviors in daily life. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.