In modern society, fatty liver disease is increasingly affecting younger demographics. Health experts identify the habit of consuming sugary drinks as a leading cause. Recently, food safety expert Wayne shared clinical observations from Dr. Satoshi Ogata, a renowned hepatobiliary surgeon in Japan. According to Dr. Ogata, many fatty liver patients do not require extreme diets. Instead, by simply "changing their drinking habits," their liver indices showed significant improvement, even returning to normal within one month.

Three beneficial drinks for the liver

To alleviate the burden on the liver, Dr. Ogata emphasizes that the primary task is to quit sugary drinks. He encourages people to replace their daily fluid intake with three types of beverages:

Plain water or unsweetened sparkling water: This is the purest source of hydration, calorie-free, and places no stress on the body.

Unsweetened tea: Teas such as green tea, oolong tea, or black tea are rich in antioxidants, strongly supporting daily health.

Black coffee: Drinking black coffee in moderation is beneficial for liver health. However, absolutely no sugar or creamer should be added.

Drinking black coffee in moderation is beneficial for liver health. Photo: Bao Bao

Many people try to quit sugar by switching to diet drinks (containing artificial sweeteners) or consuming too much milk and soy milk. Dr. Ogata warns that while artificial sweeteners contain no calories, they still stimulate the brain's craving for sweets, leading to uncontrolled appetite. As for milk and soy milk, they still contain lactose, natural sugars, and a certain amount of calories. If consumed in large quantities instead of plain water, the total caloric intake will still exceed healthy levels, causing weight gain and adding stress to the liver.

Rules for "gentle eating" to restore liver function

In addition to adjusting drink choices, Dr. Ogata also proposes three simple, easy-to-follow eating principles to improve intestinal function and reduce liver pressure:

Reduce carbohydrate intake by half: Decrease portions of rice, noodles, or other main starches in each meal to about 100g.

Prioritize vegetables, secondary carbohydrates: Shift from the traditional habit of filling up on rice/noodles to using green vegetables as the main food to satisfy hunger.

Consume 350g of vegetables daily: Eating a large amount of green vegetables increases fiber, which not only promotes bowel movements but also slows down sugar absorption into the bloodstream.

Dr. Satoshi Ogata affirms that this method does not require extreme or restrictive carbohydrate diets. The goal is to bring uncontrolled eating habits back to a reasonable range. By maintaining a balanced and moderate diet, one can still occasionally indulge in energy-rich treats without significantly impacting overall health, helping the liver recover sustainably.

My Y (According to UDN)