Stay away from a lot of fried foods including fast food restaurant meals. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters and clams are a definite no-no. Talk to your doctor about alcohol and your liver health : Depending on the state of your liver, you should avoid alcohol.

Eat a balanced diet : Select foods from all food groups: Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and beans, milk, and oil. Eat food with fiber : Fiber helps your liver work at an optimal level. Drink lots of water : It prevents dehydration and it helps your liver to function better.

How you should eat if you have… Bile Duct Liver Disease Diet Bile is a liquid made in the liver that helps break down fats in the small intestine. Bile duct disease keeps bile from flowing to the small intestine. Fatty liver disease is the buildup of fat in liver cells.

Please note that fatty liver disease has been newly renamed to steatotic liver disease. Liver Disease Diets. What is Liver Disease? How Many People Have Liver Disease? A Healthy Diet, a Healthier Liver, a Healthier You So, what should you eat to ensure that your liver can function normally?

Many foods contain compounds that have been shown to help improve liver enzymes, protect against fat buildup, and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. The liver is responsible for body processes from producing proteins, cholesterol, and bile to storing vitamins, minerals, and even carbohydrates.

It also breaks down toxins like alcohol, medications, and natural byproducts of metabolism. Keeping your liver in good shape is important for maintaining health.

Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health. Studies have shown that drinking coffee protects the liver from disease, even among those who already have health concerns related to this organ. For example, studies in a research review have shown that drinking coffee helps lower the risk of cirrhosis , or permanent liver damage, in people with chronic liver disease.

Drinking coffee may also help reduce the risk of developing a common type of liver cancer, according to a research review. It also has positive effects on liver disease and inflammation. The greatest benefits are seen in people who drink at least 3 cups of coffee daily.

These benefits seem to stem from its ability to prevent the buildup of fat and collagen , the review suggests. Fat and collagen are two of the main markers of liver disease.

Coffee also increases levels of the antioxidant glutathione. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals, which are produced naturally in the body and can damage cells. Tea is widely considered to be beneficial for health, but evidence has shown that it may have particular benefits for the liver.

A review of 15 studies found that green tea reduced levels of liver enzymes in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD. Another study had similar findings, reporting that supplementing with green tea extract for 12 weeks significantly reduced liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase ALT and aspartate aminotransferase AST in people with NAFLD.

Plus, a review found that people who drank green tea were less likely to develop liver cancer. The lowest risk was seen in people who drank four or more daily cups. Nevertheless, some people, especially those with liver problems, should exercise caution and talk with a doctor before consuming green tea as a supplement.

There have been several reports of liver damage resulting from using supplements containing green tea extract. Grapefruit contains antioxidants that naturally protect the liver.

The two main antioxidants found in grapefruit are naringenin and naringin. The protective effects of grapefruit are known to occur in two ways — by reducing inflammation and protecting cells. According to a analysis , studies have also shown that these antioxidants can help reduce the development of hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatic fibrosis is a harmful condition in which excessive connective tissue builds up in the liver. This typically results from chronic inflammation. The effects of grapefruit or grapefruit juice itself, rather than its components, have not been studied.

Additionally, almost all studies looking at the antioxidants in grapefruit have been conducted in animals, according to the analysis. Nevertheless, the current evidence suggests that grapefruit may benefit liver health by helping prevent damage and inflammation. Blueberries and cranberries contain anthocyanins , which are antioxidants that give berries their distinctive colors.

One study found that taking a cranberry supplement for six months improved hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver, in people with NAFLD. But more studies are needed to determine whether this effect can be replicated in humans.

Making these berries a regular part of your diet is a good way to help make sure your liver is supplied with the antioxidants it needs to stay healthy. Grapes , especially red and purple grapes, contain various beneficial plant compounds that may benefit liver health.

More studies are needed before taking grapeseed extract to promote liver health can be recommended. Prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica is a popular type of edible cactus.

People commonly consume the fruit and its juice. It has long been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for the following conditions:.

A study found that the extract of this plant might help manage symptoms of a hangover. Prickly pear might also protect the liver from alcohol toxicity, with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. More human studies are needed, especially using prickly pear fruit and juice rather than extract.

But studies so far have demonstrated that prickly pear positively affects the liver. Beetroot juice is a source of nitrates and antioxidants called betalains. Animal studies have shown that beet juice may help reduce oxidative damage and inflammation of the liver.

However, while animal studies look promising, more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of beetroot juice on human liver health. Cruciferous vegetables are known for their high fiber content and distinctive taste. Studies suggest that cruciferous vegetables contain certain compounds that alter the detoxification process and protect against harmful compounds.