Recently we have seen a lot of press around the staggering 400% increase in deaths related to liver diseases over the last 40 years. Lowering the amount of booze you consume can not only have a positive effect on your waistline and wallet, it's also great news for your liver. You see, the liver is one of the bodies' most complex organs and every time that you drink alcohol, the liver's functions are disrupted and it is damaged. Okay, there is nothing wrong with a few tipples every now and then, but you risk permanent damage if you consume more than the recommended limit, or regularly binge drink. This year the British Liver Trust are running their fourth annual national campaign called “Love Your Liver” aimed at encouraging us all to look after our livers. We have put together some top tips on how you can love your liver without missing out and enjoying life. Switch Your Drinks When we drink alcohol we can start to dehydrate and this involves plenty of bad side effects such as headaches and aches and pains, commonly known as the dreaded hangover! Not to mention the damage it can do to our livers. If you are going to have a drink, there are a few ways to try and avoid this. Drink alcohol with mixers such as fruit juice and alternate between alcohol and water, this will help to keep you hydrated. Alternatively switch your favourite drink for a refreshing non-alcoholic fruity cocktail or non-alcoholic beer. Nobody is saying that you must stay clear of all alcoholic drinks but if you find yourself in a situation such as a party or works do, why not think ‘switch'? It's also important to remember to try to stay within the recommended safe limits when consuming alcohol:
  • Men –3 to 4 units per day
  • Women – 2 to 3 units per day
Often many of us can think that having a glass of wine or a beer in the evenings is fine however, you should aim to have at least 3 days off alcohol on a weekly basis as this gives your liver some time to repair any damage. You Are What You Eat Opting for a healthier lifestyle and watching what goes in your body will also help your liver. Make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and keep your weight down as being overweight can lead to liver related diseases. As well as watching your food it is recommended to up your water intake! Some of us find it difficult to make sure we are getting the recommended 2 litres of water a day. If you are one of these people then try downloading our free drink alarm app to help you stay on top of your hydration. Make regular trips to the water cooler at work and switch your regular tea or coffee for herbal teas, which also count towards your 2 litres of water a day. Water is all around us and when you consider that out bodies are made up of between 50-75% of the stuff; it is no wonder that topping up your hydration levels is absolutely essential. Love your liver because if you don't, your health will soon take a tumble that may not be easy to recover from. To find out more about how you can love your liver better please visit http://loveyourliver.org.uk.