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Alcohol

Truth is, alcohol and your liver don’t mix. For some people, consuming as little as one glass of wine or beer a day can cause liver problems to develop.

How does alcohol affect your liver?

The only way your body can process alcohol is by producing enzymes in the liver. This process alone can damage liver cells, causing permanent scarring. But that’s not all. If the energy from the alcohol you consume is not used, it is stored in the liver cells as fat. In fact, alcohol is the most common cause of fatty liver disease.

Love your liver - drink in moderation

It’s wise to avoid alcohol, but if you choose to drink the occasional glass, limit yourself to moderate measures. Here are our top tips to help you limit your intake:

  • Switch to low-alcohol or alternate an alcohol-free drink with an alcoholic one
  • Mix your favourite wine with plain mineral water
  • Mix beer or stout with lemonade
  • Avoid situations where there is peer pressure to drink in rounds

If you’re having difficulty cutting back, talk to your doctor about getting professional help to reduce your alcohol intake. Be sure to read up about other common toxins that can damage your liver too.