Your Daily Habits Could Be Harming Your Liver, Warns Gastroenterologist

A leading gastroenterologist warns that many people may be causing serious harm to their liver without knowing it, through their daily dietary habits. An expert with a background from Harvard is raising awareness about common foods and drinks that are contributing to the rise in fatty liver disease, a condition that can have serious long-term effects.

Here are the three habits to change:

1. Drinking sugary beverages: The expert strongly warns that sodas and juices are not harmless treats. They are full of empty calories and sugars that directly cause fat to build up in the liver. They are referred to as “liquid poison,” emphasizing their role in causing insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The recommendation is to switch to water or unsweetened tea and coffee.

2. Eating deep-fried foods often: Items like French fries, fried chicken, and other battered foods are high in unhealthy fats that cause inflammation and fat to be stored in the liver. According to the expert, regularly choosing these foods over healthier options is a major risk factor for developing liver problems and obesity.

3. Relying on ultra-processed foods: Foods like chips, instant noodles, hot dogs, and sugary cereals are described as very harmful. They strain the liver with a mix of unhealthy fats, refined sugars, and artificial chemicals, while often lacking the fiber and nutrients needed for a healthy gut and liver.

This message is a vital public health reminder. Simple, daily choices—what you drink with lunch, the snack you grab in the afternoon—add up over time. By consciously avoiding these three categories of harmful foods, you can stop the cycle of liver damage and create a base for lasting health.