Nutrition to Help Your Liver Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on October 14, 2024Nutrition to Help Your LiverMedically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on October 14, 20241 / 15Keep Your Liver HappyYour body's largest internal organ is an important player. It helps turn food into nutrients. It also filters toxins and breaks them down so your body can get rid of them. You can make your liver's job easier -- and yourself healthier -- if you eat the right things. A balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is a good start.2 / 15Leafy GreensFree radicals are molecules that can damage your cells and cause problems, including liver disease. Substances called antioxidants can help get rid of them. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collards are loaded with antioxidants. They're also packed with fiber, and other things your liver needs.3 / 15GrapefruitThis citrus favorite has powerful antioxidants that may help protect your cells and ease the inflammation that can lead to liver disease. But be careful with it if you take certain medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or mental health. Grapefruit can affect how they work. Talk with your doctor first if you're on meds for any of those things.4 / 15OatmealFoods high in fiber, like this breakfast favorite, can help protect your liver from inflammation. They also may help keep your blood sugar and electrolytes in line. Other good sources of high-fiber whole grains include:Brown riceUnbuttered popcorn100% whole wheat bread5 / 15ApplesStudies have shown that fruits high in fiber, like apples, may help people who have fatty liver disease, especially those who are obese. Make sure you leave the skin on. That's where most of the fiber is. Other fruits with lots of fiber include:BananasOrangesStrawberriesRaisins 6 / 15Skinless Chicken BreastsYour body needs protein to build up your organs -- including your liver -- and keep them healthy. But your liver doesn't need a lot of fat. Lean poultry (without the skin) can be a good way to get the protein you need. Grill it or bake it. Don't fry it.7 / 15SalmonIt's loaded with protein, but that's not all. This popular fish also has omega-3 fatty acids, which may lower your cholesterol, ease inflammation, and help you stay at a healthy weight. All of those things help your liver. Aim for two to four servings of salmon a week.8 / 15WalnutsNuts can be a good snack choice for your liver. Walnuts, in particular, are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. But a little goes a long way. Aim for only about 10 walnuts a day. The fat and calories can add up if you munch on too many.9 / 15BeansYou don't have to eat meat to get protein. You can get it, and plenty of fiber, from beans. And they don't have the “bad” saturated fats found in some protein that comes from animals.10 / 15Healthy OilsTake unhealthy saturated and trans fats, like butter and margarine, out of your diet. Sub in better choices. For example, go with extra-virgin olive oil and canola oil for cooking and baking. Watch the amounts, though. A light touch may be enough.11 / 15CoffeeYour morning habit may not just get your day going, it might also help keep your liver healthy. Scientists aren't sure why, but studies show that a few cups a day may lower your chances of liver cancer. Researchers are also looking into whether certain chemicals in coffee may help slow down conditions like cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and other types of chronic liver disease.12 / 15Green TeaThis trendy favorite has antioxidants and other chemicals that may help protect your liver from cell damage and inflammation. Drinking it regularly may lower your chances of fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and chronic liver disease. But avoid supplements of green tea extract because of reports of liver damage.13 / 15WaterThis makes up 73% of your liver, so it's important to make sure you have enough in your system to keep it working the way it should. A lack of water can hurt your kidneys, too. That can take a toll.14 / 15What Not to EatAlong with eating the right foods, it's also important to stay away from the wrong ones. The biggest threats to your liver include foods that are:FriedHigh in saturated fatProcessedKeep an eye on alcohol. In general, women should have no more than one adult beverage a day, and men no more than two. But talk to your doctor about what's right for you.15 / 15Don't 'Detox'A “cleanse” might sound like a good idea, but there's no proof that any special diet will help get toxins out of your liver. Your liver does a good job of that already. And some “detox” diets can cause side effects like cramping, nausea, or dehydration. They can also keep you from getting enough vitamins or minerals. If you're looking for a healthy change of pace, you could take “bad” fats and sugar out of your diet or cut out alcohol.Show SourcesPhoto Credits:1) Demaerre / Getty Images2) alice dias didszoleit / Getty Images3) joannatkaczuk / Getty Images4) Mizina / Getty Images5) Fotohunter / Getty Images6) Villagemoon / Getty Images7) Creatas / Getty Images8) Eising / Getty Images9) Karisssa / Getty Images10) MarianVejcik / Getty Images11) Andrea_Dawn / Getty Images12) FEDelchot / Getty Images13) MoustacheGirl / Getty Images14) Phillyskater / Getty Images15) Olindana / Getty ImagesSOURCES:PubMed Health: “How Does The Liver Work?”American Liver Foundation: “Liver Disease Diets: How You Should Eat If You Have …,” “Alcohol and Your Liver.”National Library of Medicine: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Plants Consumption and Liver Health.”Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: “How To Get Your Kids To Eat Dark Leafy Greens,” “In a Nutshell.”Institute For Liver Health: “3 Great Foods For Your Liver.”Harvard Health Publishing: “Grapefruit and Medication: A Cautionary Note.”FamilyDoctor.org: “Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet.”Advances In Nutrition: “Impact of Dietary Fibers on Nutrient Management and Detoxification Organs: Gut, Liver, and Kidneys.”PubMed.gov: “Fruit Fiber Consumption Specifically Improves Liver Health Status in Obese Subjects under Energy Restriction.”Mayo Clinic: Nutrition and Healthy Eating: “Chart of High-Fiber Foods,” “Do Detox Diets Offer Any Health Benefits?”Kids Health: “Learning About Proteins.”Love Your Liver: “Diet.”World Journal of Gastroenterology: “Oily Fish, Coffee and Walnuts: Dietary Treatment for nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.”American Heart Association: “The Benefits of Beans and Legumes.”Cleveland Clinic: “Health Essentials: Heart-Healthy Cooking: Oils 101.”British Liver Trust: “Coffee Consumption and the Liver – the Potential Health Benefits.”National Library of Medicine.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine: “The Effect of Green Tea Intake On Risk of Liver Disease: A Meta Analysis.”EDWCA: “Hydration.”The Hepatitis C Trust: “Diet.”Explore MoreLoad More See More on Hepatitis From WebMD Go Now PoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , Your liver does a lot for you. Learn which foods can help keep it healthy and working the way it should., Discover the 12 best foods for liver health, from antioxidant-rich fruits to omega-3 fish, to boost liver function and overall wellness naturally..