Common Habits Harmful to Liver Health
Discover common habits that can harm your liver health, their long-term effects, and practical tips to protect and maintain a healthy liver.
Written by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula
Reviewed by Dr. Shaik Abdul Kalam MD (Physician)
Last updated on 5th Sep, 2025
Introduction
Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. It helps detoxify harmful substances, produce essential proteins, store vitamins, and regulate metabolism. However, certain everyday habits can damage your liver over time, leading to serious health problems like fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, or even liver failure.
The good news? Many of these harmful habits can be changed with awareness and small lifestyle adjustments. Let’s explore some common habits that hurt your liver and how you can protect this vital organ.
1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Why It’s Harmful:
Your liver processes alcohol, but drinking too much overwhelms it, leading to inflammation, fatty liver, and eventually cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Even moderate drinking can cause damage over time.
What You Can Do:
- Limit alcohol intake (men: max 2 drinks/day, women: 1 drink/day).
- Consider alcohol-free days each week.
- If you have liver disease, avoid alcohol completely.
Consult a Hepatologist for the best advice
2. Overuse of Painkillers & Medications
Why It’s Harmful:
Common pain relievers like paracetamol (acetaminophen), when taken in excess, can cause liver toxicity. Some
prescription drugs and supplements (like certain herbal remedies) can also harm the liver.
What You Can Do:
- Always follow dosage instructions.
- Avoid mixing alcohol with painkillers.
- Consult a doctor before taking new medications or supplements.
3. Poor Diet & Obesity
Why It’s Harmful:
A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats leads to fat buildup in the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Obesity increases the risk of liver inflammation and scarring.
What You Can Do:
- Eat more whole foods (vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains).
- Reduce sugar, fried foods, and refined carbs.
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
4. Smoking
Why It’s Harmful:
Chemicals in cigarettes increase oxidative stress in the liver, worsening liver disease and increasing cancer risk. Smoking also reduces the liver’s ability to detoxify harmful substances.
What You Can Do:
- Seek help to quit smoking (nicotine patches, counselling, or support groups).
- Avoid secondhand smoke exposure.
5. Lack of Exercise
Why It’s Harmful:
A sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity and insulin resistance, both of which increase fatty liver disease risk.
What You Can Do:
- Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (walking, cycling, swimming) most days.
- Strength training helps improve metabolism.
6. Dehydration
Why It’s Harmful:
Water helps flush toxins from the body. Chronic dehydration makes the liver work harder, reducing its efficiency.
What You Can Do:
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Reduce caffeine and sugary drinks.
7. Ignoring Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis B & C)
Why It’s Harmful:
Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that cause liver inflammation, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer if untreated.
What You Can Do:
- Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
- Get tested if you’re at risk (unprotected sex, shared needles, blood transfusions before 1992).
- Seek early treatment if diagnosed.
8. Excessive Sugar & Sweetened Beverages
Why It’s Harmful:
High sugar intake (especially fructose) leads to fat accumulation in the liver, similar to alcohol.
What You Can Do:
- Avoid sodas, packaged juices, and energy drinks.
- Choose natural sweeteners like honey (in moderation).
9. Ignoring Liver Health Check-Ups
Why It’s Harmful:
Liver damage often shows no symptoms until it’s advanced. Regular check-ups help detect problems early.
What You Can Do:
- Get routine liver function tests (LFTs) if you have risk factors (obesity, diabetes, alcohol use).
- Monitor liver enzymes if on long-term medications.
How to Keep Your Liver Healthy
To support and protect your liver, here are some effective ways to keep it healthy:
- Eat a Balanced Diet – Include leafy greens, nuts, olive oil, and fibre-rich foods.
- Exercise Regularly – Helps burn excess fat and improves liver function.
- Limit Alcohol & Avoid Smoking – Both are major liver stressors.
- Stay Hydrated – Water supports detoxification.
- Get Vaccinated – Protect against Hepatitis A and B.
- Manage Weight – Even a 5-10% weight loss can improve fatty liver.
When to See a Doctor
Consult a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Persistent fatigue
- Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice)
- Swollen abdomen or legs
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Unexplained weight loss
Need a Liver Health Check?
You can book a liver function test (LFT) or consult a specialist through Apollo 24|7 for expert advice and early detection.
Final Thought
Your liver silently works hard to keep you healthy; return the favor by avoiding these harmful habits. Small changes today can prevent serious liver problems tomorrow!
Consult a Hepatologist for the best advice
Consult a Hepatologist for the best advice
Dr. E Prabhakar Sastry
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
40 Years • MD(Internal Medicine)
Manikonda Jagir
Apollo Clinic, Manikonda, Manikonda Jagir
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Aakash Garg
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DrNB (Gastroentrology).
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Srinivasa Reddy
Hepatologist
12 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Hepatology),ASGE
Hyderabad
Myra Liver & Gastro Care, Hyderabad
Dr. Rajeev Shandil
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
15 Years • MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DNB (Gastroenterology)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Akshatha Manjunath
General Surgeon
8 Years • MBBS, MS
Bangalore
Apollo Clinic Bellandur, Bangalore
Consult a Hepatologist for the best advice
Dr. E Prabhakar Sastry
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
40 Years • MD(Internal Medicine)
Manikonda Jagir
Apollo Clinic, Manikonda, Manikonda Jagir
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Aakash Garg
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DrNB (Gastroentrology).
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Srinivasa Reddy
Hepatologist
12 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Hepatology),ASGE
Hyderabad
Myra Liver & Gastro Care, Hyderabad
Dr. Rajeev Shandil
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
15 Years • MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DNB (Gastroenterology)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Akshatha Manjunath
General Surgeon
8 Years • MBBS, MS
Bangalore
Apollo Clinic Bellandur, Bangalore
