During the Christmas season, we put our bodies under a lot of pressure. We eat too much unhealthy food, we drink too many glasses of alcohol, and we sit around getting next to no exercise.
Little wonder, when the New Year rolls around, we’re all vowing to swear off alcohol and junk food for the coming year. Moderation is the solution. While it’s fun to enjoy a few treats, it can affect our liver health during Christmas. Everything from alcohol to fatty foods damages our liver’s functioning.
It doesn’t have to be this way. With some simple strategies, you can support your liver health during Christmas, New Year, and into the coming year.
What is the Liver’s Function?
The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body, quietly managing a range of essential tasks that keep you healthy and energised. Although we often overlook its importance, the liver plays a central role in maintaining balance in your body and supporting overall well-being.
Here are a few key things your liver does:
- Cleans your blood: The liver works as a natural filter, removing toxins such as alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances to keep your body functioning properly.
- Supports digestion: It produces bile, a substance that helps break down fats from the food you eat, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients.
- Stores energy: The liver acts as a storage unit for excess sugar, converting it into glycogen. When your body needs energy, it releases this stored sugar to keep you going.
- Boosts your immune system: By filtering bacteria and breaking down old blood cells, the liver helps your body fight infections and stay strong.
When the liver is pushed to its limits – such as due to overeating, drinking alcohol, or poor diet – the body suffers as a result. Issues like fatigue, skin problems, bloating, and digestive issues might follow.
Strategies to Support Liver Health During Christmas
Take a Break from Drinking
It can feel like every gathering during the festive period involves some form of alcohol. Even a quick shopping trip can end up with a glass of mulled wine. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, drinking day after day – even in small amounts – is harmful to your liver.
Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most damaging substances to the liver. It leads to inflammation, fatty liver disease, and eventually cirrhosis.
Back-to-back drinking prevents your liver from recovering. Ensure you give your detox organ a few days of rest each week. Limit your drink to once or twice a week and count your units. Your liver will thank you for it.
Remember to Exercise
Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind during Christmas. You’re too busy shopping, partying, and wrapping presents. You don’t have to go for long runs in the freezing cold. Light exercise like a brisk walk or some stretching gets blood pumping and helps support your liver health during Christmas.
When January finally rolls around, you’ll be grateful for your regular exercise. It helps keep off some of the weight people usually pile on over the festive period.
Don’t Eat Too Much Fat
Fatty foods can overwhelm the liver. Yet, your average Christmas buffet or dinner is brimming with high-fat, high-sugar foods, from rich desserts to stuffing and turkey. The liver has to work extra hard to process these foods, causing a buildup of toxins and fat deposits.
The solution? Just be mindful about what you’re eating. Avoid going back from seconds if you’ve already had an extra helping of something fatty. You can also mix up the unhealthy foods with some vegetables and other healthier snacks (see below).
Stay Hydrated
If you’re drinking lots of alcohol and eating salty foods, dehydration is the likely result. Drinking plenty of water helps flush the toxins out of your system, keeping your liver functioning properly. Drink around 1-2 L of water per day.
You might consider some liver-friendly drinks. Lemon water, for example, contains high levels of vitamin C, which supports the liver’s detox process. Meanwhile, some liver detox tea can further promote digestive and liver health during Christmas.
Eat Liver-Friendly Foods
Heard of liver-friendly foods? These foods are capable of supporting the liver’s vital functions and promoting its recovery after a Christmas beating. Examples include leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and arugula, or citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.
Other healthy foods include fiber-rich foods, including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Fiber also regulates digestion and prevents constipation.
Perform a Liver Function Test
The festive season can be hard on your liver, with indulgences like alcohol, rich foods, and late nights taking their toll. If you’re wondering how well your liver is holding up, a Liver Function Test is an excellent way to find out.
This simple at-home test from Allergy Test Australia measures key markers of your liver’s health, giving you valuable insights into how effectively it’s performing its vital functions. Whether you’ve been feeling sluggish or just want peace of mind after the holiday season, this test can provide clarity.
Taking care of your liver now sets you up for better health in the year ahead. Order your Liver Function Test today and start prioritizing your wellness!
