The wrong foods could worsen your liver disease -- here's what to know.

If you have liver disease—such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, or fatty liver—you need to be careful about what you eat. That’s because your diet directly or indirectly affects your liver.

“The liver is the chemical factory of our body,” said Professor Kim Do-young of the Department of Gastroenterology at Severance Hospital on the YouTube channel K-Med’s Prescription. “All the food we take in through the mouth is broken down, digested, and absorbed through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The absorbed nutrients are then transported to the liver through a blood vessel called the portal vein.”

“Since all food and nutrients are delivered to the liver, the processing can produce and accumulate substances that burden the liver. Therefore, certain foods should be avoided depending on the type of liver disease,” Professor Kim emphasized.

So, what foods should people with liver disease avoid? One major category is foods high in unhealthy fats and additives. Processed meats—such as sausage, ham, jamon, salami, and bacon—are common examples.

“If you consume unhealthy fats for a long time, you're at risk of developing fatty liver, caused by fat deposits in the liver,” Professor Kim said. “These fats also raise cholesterol levels in the blood, which can clog blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart attack, and angina due to atherosclerosis.”

Kim emphasized that salty and savory processed meats are particularly harmful and should be limited or avoided.

People with liver cirrhosis or liver cancer should be especially cautious.

“Processed meats contain large amounts of salt for preservation, along with artificial additives and preservatives,” Kim said. “Patients with cirrhosis or liver cancer are more sensitive to sodium, and eating foods high in sodium can quickly lead to bloating. This can cause ascites, so processed meats should be avoided.”

How should patients with cirrhosis or liver cancer get enough protein if they’re avoiding processed meats?

“When it comes to eating meat, fish is the healthiest option,” Kim recommended. “In addition, additives and preservatives in processed foods are metabolized by the liver and can turn into carcinogenic substances, putting further strain on the liver. It’s best to eat only small amounts occasionally, for taste—not as a regular part of your diet.”

Patients with liver disease who frequently eat salty foods, including ramen and processed meat, should also change their eating habits.

“Many people enjoy salty foods, but they need to be careful,” Kim said. “Excess sodium can easily cause edema in people with liver conditions and also affect kidney function. For those with cirrhosis or liver cancer, a low-sodium diet is always recommended—even if the food tastes bland. It’s essential to develop the habit.”

Another category to watch out for is sweets—foods high in simple sugars, such as candy, chocolate, cakes, and other desserts.

“Eating a lot of sugar is harmful for people with liver disease because excess sugar is converted into fat in the liver, which causes fatty liver,” Kim warned. “It also increases insulin secretion and blood sugar levels, raising the risk of diabetes. That’s why it’s important to limit your intake of simple sugars.”

Refined carbohydrates—like white rice, bread, and noodles—can also harm the liver.

“Refined carbs have their fiber removed, so when you eat them, your blood sugar spikes quickly and insulin is released,” Kim explained. “This can increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. Excess simple carbohydrates are carried to the liver through the bloodstream, where they are converted into fat and contribute to fatty liver.”

So, how should people with liver disease eat?

“For better health, it’s important to eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as barley, sorghum, beans, red beans, fruits, and vegetables—even if they’re less flavorful or a bit coarse,” Kim said. He recommended a diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits, and a moderate intake of meat, which can raise the risk of obesity and colon cancer if overconsumed.

And of course, alcohol should be avoided entirely.

“Alcohol itself is directly toxic to the liver,” Kim said. “When metabolized by the liver, it becomes acetaldehyde, which can destroy liver cells and even lead to cancer.”

“The Korean Liver Cancer Association once released drinking guidelines, suggesting two glasses of soju, one cup of beer, or one glass of spirits per day, followed by a two- to three-day break,” he added. “But the World Health Organization recently introduced a new concept of healthy drinking: no alcohol at all. The idea of moderation is gone—we’re now in a society where not drinking at all is the new norm, just like with smoking.”

When your liver—the body’s nutrient storehouse—is weakened and can no longer store nutrients properly, your diet must be adjusted to match that limited capacity.

“The most important principle is to eat evenly and in moderation,” Kim said. “Don’t eat too much. Don’t eat too little. Even good foods, in excess, can harm the liver.”