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Is the Occasional Iced Coffee Healthy For the Liver?
An occasional cup of iced coffee should not harm the liver, although two cups a day should be the maximum intake. To safeguard its health, focus on eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruit as well as whole grains, unprocessed cereals, legumes, olive oil, nuts and seeds; along with moderate portions of poultry, fish, seafood eggs cheese yoghurt or lean meat.
Avoid sugary drinks like soft drinks and juices as these contain fructose which increases liver fat. Instead, swap milk teas and frappuccinos for freshly brewed green or black tea with sugar-free syrup – hot green tea offers more antioxidants known as catechins than ready-to-drink formats!
Glutathione-boosting foods such as walnuts and avocado can help strengthen your liver by increasing glutathione production, as these contain polyphenols which may prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, often associated with obesity and diabetes. Leafy vegetables also improve circulation of bile which flushes out toxins from your system more effectively.
Broccoli and kale contain high amounts of vitamin E, which has been shown to lower the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They’re packed full of indole which improves liver elasticity while decreasing inflammation.
Strive to incorporate at least five servings of colourful fruits and vegetables daily into your diet, from dark-coloured veggies like broccoli, kale and cauliflower to brightly coloured ones like spinach and berries. Leafy vegetables contain sulforaphane which protects liver damage.
Limiting alcohol to one or two standard drinks daily for women and three for men is generally safe for the liver, although excessive drinking increases your risk of fatty and scarred liver (fibrosis) which may progress to cirrhosis over time. Thankfully, any damage done due to heavy drinking is reversible once alcohol intake ceases.
Coffee contains antioxidants known as polyphenols that have been shown to reduce your risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes and liver disease. Regular and decaf coffee may also have other advantages for liver health as it contains these polyphenols – these have also been linked with reduced stroke risks and colorectal cancer risks as well as helping slow Alzheimer’s development.
Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats as these can increase cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of fatty liver. Saturated fats are found in meat, butter, fried foods and full-fat dairy, though you may still enjoy some dairy (skim yoghurt is great!) in moderation (choose low-fat milk or semi-skim yoghurt instead for maximum nutrition.) Focus instead on getting some monounsaturated fats from olive oil, avocados nuts omega 3 fish as well as healthy vegetable oils like rapeseed sunflower sesame and canola to provide balanced nutrition!