Top 3 drinks good for the liver recommended by Harvard experts

(Dan Tri) - When it comes to keeping your liver healthy, your beverage choices can be just as important as your meals. Here are the top 3 drinks that are good for your liver, according to an expert from Harvard University (USA).

Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist, recently shared ten daily beverages that affect liver health.

From water to sugar-laden fruit juices, he rated each beverage on a scale of 1 to 10 based on its potential to help or harm the liver.

Below he reveals the top 3 drinks to boost liver health:

Some drinks are especially good for liver health (Illustration: Shutterstock).

Water

According to the Times of India , one of the best things you can do for your liver is to maintain a healthy weight. Make it a habit to drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda or sports drinks. These drinks are high in calories. Therefore, it is best to choose plain water. Drinking more water can also help you avoid dehydration and allow your liver to function better.

Water is rated 10/10 by Dr. Sethi and tops the list of drinks that are good for liver health. Water is the ultimate detoxifier, helping the liver filter waste and ensure healthy cell function.

Black coffee

Second place is black coffee. This beverage has been linked to lower levels of liver enzymes and reduced inflammation. Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of liver disease and cirrhosis when you drink black coffee without added sugar or cream.

Studies show that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day can help protect the liver from damage caused by too much alcohol or an unhealthy diet. Some studies suggest it may reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Similarly, according to Medical News Today , coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to boost liver health.

Studies have shown that drinking coffee protects the liver. For example, studies in a 2016 research review showed that drinking coffee reduced 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.

Researchers found that it was even linked to a lower risk of death in people with chronic liver disease. The greatest benefits were seen in people who drank at least three cups of coffee a day.

Unsweetened vegetable juice

Third place is unsweetened vegetable juice, which received a score of 8/10. This drink is low in sugar and rich in vitamins and minerals that support liver health.

Sugar-free vegetable juice is good for your liver (Photo: Tu Anh).

For example, beetroot juice is a powerful detoxifier that supports liver health by helping to eliminate toxins and improve liver function. Beets are rich in betaine, a compound that helps protect liver cells from damage and promotes liver tissue regeneration.

Drinking beetroot juice regularly may help reduce inflammation, improve liver function tests and support overall liver health.

Beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, is abundant in carrot juice. Additionally, by encouraging detoxification and enhancing bile synthesis, vitamins A, C, and K found in carrot juice help enhance liver function.

Carrot juice is a great addition to your summer drinks as it can help prevent many liver diseases and maintain liver function when consumed regularly.

In addition to its cooling and hydrating properties, cucumber mint water also has cleansing properties. Cucumber and mint work together to support the liver's natural detoxification activities by removing toxins from the body.

Furthermore, the antioxidants in mint can help improve liver function, making this homemade drink a refreshing and healthy choice for overall health, especially in the summer.

At the opposite end of the list are sugary, preservative-laden fruit drinks and sweetened teas. The reason is that they are high in sugar and low in fiber, ingredients that contribute to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.

According to Health , consuming too much sugar, especially in the form of fructose, can damage the liver and lead to fat accumulation in the liver. High fructose intake is associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease.

Studies show that people who consume sugary drinks, such as soda, daily have a 50% higher risk of developing fatty liver disease than people who do not consume sugary drinks.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/3-thuc-uong-hang-dau-tot-cho-gan-chuyen-gia-harvard-khuyen-dung-20250701211209268.htm