People nowadays are concerned about the foods they eat, which can cause weight gain or contribute to their love handles. Apart from the weight and the diet you are watching out for, you should also watch out for other body parts affected when you eat something, just like the liver. So before you jump into your cheat day, try to figure out the popular foods that cause liver damage.
According to the University of Michigan, the liver's job is to breakdown fats that are eaten, converting excess carbohydrates and proteins into forms that are stored for later use. This only means that the liver helps in processing the nutrients we get from our food so that our body can benefit from them. However, even popular foods can cause liver damage at some point. To give you an idea, here are popular foods that can take a toll on our liver.
Read also: CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER DIET: HIGH-CALORIE, HIGH-PROTEIN, SODIUM-RESTRICTED DIET
French Fries
In this photo illustration, a McDonald's Big Mac and french fries are seen on a tray on April 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida.
This potato snack is the go-to side dish or a complimentary meal to every meal you order from a fast-food chain. But behind the crisp and tender texture is suffering that your liver will have to face. In an interview with Eat This Not That, Lean Poston, MD, from Invigor Medical, shares that diets high in saturated fats lead to increased liver fat and insulin resistance, making it one of the culprits for the fats in your liver.
Condiments with Hidden Sugar
You might love to pair your French fries with ketchup, but are you sure that the ketchup you are dipping into does not have sugar in it? According to a seasoned advice user, ketchup contains high fructose corn syrup, which is excellent for longer shelf life. However, Penn Medicine News reports that when a large quantity of fructose reaches the liver, it uses the excess fructose into fat and eventually develops undesirable conditions.
White Bread
A photo illustration of a loaf of white pre-sliced bread on February 16, 2018 in London, England.
In an interview with Eat This Not That, John Fawkes, NSCA, CPT, shares that refined carbohydrates lack fiber, causing blood sugar to spike. Then followed by insulin release, and the fat deposited around the liver. Thrillist also notes that a diet high in refined carbohydrates may lead to fatty liver disease.
Deli Meat
Now you might partner deli meats as sandwich filling to your white bread, but this is not a good idea, especially when the liver is concerned. Citing a study, WebMD says that people, who consume a high amount of red and processed meats, had almost 50 percent heightened risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Vegetable Oil
A worker grabs seeds from palm oil plants harvested in Kuala Cenaku on October 3, 2010 in Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia.
According to My DNA Health, too much vegetable oil consumption may cause NAFLD, which currently has no treatment available. It adds that increasing its consumption will likely cause the progress of the liver disease.
Sweetened Drinks
You might already know what sugary drinks do to your body despite having good taste. In an interview with Eat This Not That, Ian Braithewaite, MBBS, notes that high doses of fructose can lead to liver toxicity, and it can go to your body through your favorite soda.
Popular foods that cause liver damage can be alarming, especially if you are eating or consuming them every day. Taking them in moderation is wiser than indulging in these foods to avoid liver complications.
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