What are the absolute worst habits for your liver? A renowned gastroenterologist with training from Harvard has shared his take, pinpointing three common dietary habits that are directly contributing to the alarming rise in liver disease across the population.
The first and most damaging habit is quenching your thirst with sugar. The doctor notes that the habit of reaching for a soda or juice instead of water is devastating for the liver. This practice consistently floods the organ with fructose, forcing it into a perpetual state of fat production and storage, which is the definition of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The second harmful habit is making fried food a regular part of your diet. Whether it’s a weekly fried chicken dinner or daily french fries, this habit ensures a steady intake of inflammatory trans and saturated fats. The expert warns that this chronic inflammation can cause lasting damage to liver cells and impair the organ’s function.
The third worst habit is relying on packaged, processed foods for meals and snacks. A diet built on convenience items like instant noodles, sugary cereals, and packaged snacks is a recipe for liver trouble. This habit introduces a constant stream of unhealthy fats, added sugars, and artificial chemicals that the liver must struggle to process.
The gastroenterologist’s advice is to break these habits. By consciously replacing them with healthier routines—drinking water, choosing baked foods, and preparing meals from whole ingredients—you can reverse the damage and protect your liver for the long term.