Alcohol is not the only “killer” of the liver. Many foods that people love and consider harmless can actually damage the liver very quickly.

When people talk about foods or factors harmful to the liver, most immediately think of alcohol. This is why the family and friends of Mr. Ly were shocked—actually deeply stunned—when they found out he had liver failure and eventually died at the age of 55 from this disease.

According to his relatives, Mr. Ly always believed he was healthy, eating and sleeping well. However, he often felt unusually tired and experienced discomfort in the right upper abdomen. His belly gradually enlarged over time. Only when the pain in the right upper abdomen—where the liver is located—became severe, accompanied by swollen legs and severe jaundice, did he finally agree to see a doctor. Tests revealed that he had chronic liver failure, despite almost never touching alcohol.

In recent times, Mr. Ly’s liver failure symptoms worsened. He was admitted to the emergency room in a confused state, with trembling hands, gastrointestinal bleeding, and eventually fell into hepatic encephalopathy (a coma caused by toxins accumulating in the blood and damaging the brain). Despite the doctors’ best efforts, he could not be saved.

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Mr. Ly’s treating physician explained that many people mistakenly believe only liver cancer leads to death, but in reality, acute or severe chronic liver failure can also cause fatal outcomes. These conditions severely impair the liver’s ability to detoxify the body, metabolize nutrients, and produce essential proteins. In advanced stages, liver failure leads to cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, and hepatic coma. This makes liver failure one of the leading causes of death related to liver disease worldwide.

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4 Common Foods That Harm Your Liver, Yet Many Eat Daily Without Realizing It

According to the doctor, Mr. Ly’s liver failure wasn’t caused by alcohol but by harmful eating habits that were equally damaging. There are four types of liver-harmful foods he consumed regularly:

1. Moldy Food

Moldy food contains aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen known to cause liver cancer. Even small amounts of this toxin accumulate in the liver, causing chronic damage. Many, like Mr. Ly, mistakenly think that cutting off the moldy part is enough, but the toxin spreads throughout the entire food, forcing the liver to work overtime to detoxify, which gradually impairs its function and leads to disease.

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2. Pickled and Fermented Vegetables

Mr. Ly loved eating pickled vegetables, almost daily for years. Even after his diagnosis and doctors’ warnings, he couldn’t quit. Pickled vegetables—especially those pickled for short periods—contain high levels of nitrites, which can transform into nitrosamines, strong liver carcinogens. Excessive salt content also burdens the liver, causing inflammation and chronic damage. Long-term consumption increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

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3. Reused Cooking Oil

Fried foods themselves are not “friendly” to the liver; excessive intake can cause fatty liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. But Mr. Ly had an even more dangerous habit: reusing cooking oil multiple times to save money. Reheating oil generates trans fats, oxidized compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), all toxic substances that severely harm the liver.

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4. Carbonated Soft Drinks

Though Mr. Ly did not drink alcohol, he was addicted to carbonated soft drinks. After his liver failure diagnosis, he switched to sugar-free versions, unaware that both types harm the liver. Regular soft drinks contain high fructose, which promotes fat accumulation in the liver, causes inflammation, and long-term damage. Sugar-free varieties use artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, which disrupt metabolism, increase the risk of fatty liver, and insulin resistance. Frequent consumption overloads the liver, leading to chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Artificial sweeteners can form toxic compounds, adding further stress to the liver.

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Additional Insights:

It is crucial to understand that liver health is not solely compromised by alcohol consumption. The liver is a vital organ responsible for processing nutrients, filtering toxins, and regulating metabolism. Unhealthy diets high in processed, preserved, and fried foods, as well as sugary beverages, contribute significantly to liver disease. Prevention through mindful eating habits, avoiding moldy and overly processed foods, and limiting intake of harmful substances can protect the liver from irreversible damage.

Doctors recommend a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to support liver function. Regular medical check-ups and avoiding self-medication with unverified supplements or drugs also play important roles in maintaining liver health.