Foods to Avoid

Highly Processed Foods

Cirrhotic patients must be especially careful about what they eat because their livers cannot process all the nutrients in food as effectively as healthy livers can. That’s why highly processed foods- items stripped of their natural nutrients or have had chemicals added to them- can be particularly dangerous for people with cirrhosis. 

Highly processed foods are dangerous for cirrhotic patients because they put an extra strain on the liver. When a cirrhotic patient eats highly processed foods, their liver must work overtime to break down all the artificial ingredients and chemicals. This can lead to further liver damage and increase the risk of complications like liver cancer. In addition, highly processed foods are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which can contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which can worsen cirrhosis.

Another problem with highly processed foods is that they often contain high salt levels. Salt can cause fluid retention, leading to ascites and a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, a common symptom of cirrhosis. In addition, salt can raise blood pressure, putting even more strain on the already damaged liver.