When we think about liver health, the first thing that comes to mind is alcohol. How many times have you heard someone (or yourself) say, “I need to take a break from drinking for my liver’s sake?” But it’s not just alcohol that can negatively impact your liver health this holiday season.
What you eat, certain non-alcoholic drinks, and your weight play an important role in keeping your liver in tip-top shape. Did you know that your liver is one of the most important and complex organs in your body? According to John Hopkins Medicine, your liver performs over 500 vital functions. It’s definitely not something to ignore…
The good news? It’s actually not that complicated to always keep an eye on your liver and make better decisions. The bad news? You really need to cut down on alcohol consumption…and a lot of other things.
Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways to take care of your liver this party season:
Always stay hydrated
At the top of the liver’s to-do list is cleaning the blood that circulates your body, removing toxins, storing vitamins and minerals, and converting nutrients into energy. In order for your liver to optimally fulfill these functions, adequate fluid intake is crucial. Dehydration can impair the liver’s ability to efficiently detoxify our bodies, which can lead to a variety of complications.
Any time you feel thirsty, make sure you drink water first before doing anything else. And always make sure you have water nearby no matter where you are. And most importantly, stay hydrated when drinking alcohol.
READ MORE: 5 DIY flavored waters for every situation
Watch what you eat
The holidays have gained a reputation as a “weight gain period,” largely because we tend to eat a lot more (junk, but delicious garbage!) in a short period of time. We’re not saying you have to give up everything completely (it’s a good time of year, after all), but try your best to stick to a balanced diet. This means avoiding fried foods, junk foods, and foods high in sugar (especially refined sugar). These tend to lead to weight gain and being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of liver disease.
Make sure you have a good balance of fiber (fruit, vegetables, whole grain bread, rice and certain grains), meat (red meat – but in moderation), dairy products and “good” fats such as nuts, seeds and fish.
Limit your alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can literally scar your liver and is a major risk factor for several liver-related health problems. But we all know that.
Eight or more drinks per week is generally considered heavy drinking for women. According to the addiction center, chronic alcohol abuse damages liver cells over time, leading to liver disease. Even one binge drinking session puts a lot of pressure on your liver, so this time we’re trying to be a little gentler about it.
With this in mind, when it comes to alcohol, it is important to talk to your doctor to find out what amount of alcohol is safe for you. You might be surprised if your doctor tells you that you shouldn’t drink alcohol at all.
However, if you still drink alcohol, you should always remain vigilant and keep your consumption in moderation.
Don’t stop exercising
Even if it seems like a mission, try to stay active throughout your vacation – wherever you are. Obesity is a risk factor for liver disease and maintaining/losing weight significantly reduces your risk.
READ MORE: 7 easy ways to stay in shape when you really suck at working out in the heat
Practice safe sex
Yes, safe sex is important for your liver too! TIME reports that the most common birthday is September 9th (the most shared birthday) – what does that tell us? That a lot of sex happens in December.
What does this have to do with your liver? Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and develop into chronic diseases that can ultimately lead to liver destruction.
Above all, remember to have fun and never miss an opportunity to laugh!