Liver health linked to dietary habits and nutrition

In observance of World Food Day, nutritionist Sara Policarpo emphasizes the critical role of diet in maintaining liver health. While discussions on healthy eating often focus on cardiovascular health, diabetes, or weight management, the liver serves as a central organ for nutrient metabolism, bile production, and processing substances from food and drink.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), a healthy diet should prioritize minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and quality proteins. It is advised to limit the intake of foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Poor dietary habits and metabolic conditions are linked to hepatic steatosis, or the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. This condition is frequently associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, often driven by highly processed, energy-dense Westernized diets.