Under Attack: The Hidden Daily Threats Damaging Your Liver

You should realize by now that the liver is quite impressive! It’s the largest and one of the most important internal organs in the whole body. Weighing between three and five pounds and located in the upper right abdomen, this powerhouse is made up of two separate lobes that work together to provide over 500 vital functions (1). But just because it’s powerful, doesn’t mean it isn’t vulnerable to threats.

Let’s Talk Liver

In order to properly protect the liver, it’s important to first understand its primary role: filtering blood. At any given time, your liver processes around a pint of blood! That’s 13% of your body's total blood supply. Many of the liver's other functions are related to your metabolism, allowing you to convert food to energy, breaking down food into basic building blocks your body needs, and eliminating waste through bile or blood (1).

These are just some of the liver’s jobs — and it’s clear to see how important the liver is to our daily lives! Let’s take a look at a few potential dangers that stand in its way.

Threat #1: Ultra-Processed Foods

One major danger to the liver is ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which include commercially produced breads, most breakfast cereals, flavored yogurts, hot dogs, frozen meals, potato chips, and more (2). These food items are altered from their natural forms to change their appearance or extend their shelf life. The large amounts of fat and sugar that are added to these ultra-processed foods end up increasing the calorie count as well, much more than whole foods (3).

Numerous studies have revealed the serious dangers of these items. In an American Medical Association article, Dr. Stephen Devries cites an alarming study spanning over 19 years that showcased a “31% higher mortality for the highest versus lowest consumers of ultraprocessed foods” (3).  Another study found that UPFs can increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver fibrosis, liver cancer, and other liver diseases (4).

The evidence is clear: ultra-processed foods pose significant risks to your liver and can inhibit its essential functions.

Threat #2: Dangerous Beverages

Food isn't the only danger! It's equally important to be mindful of ultra-processed beverages, such as sugary sodas, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and sports drinks. These beverages are loaded with added sugars and artificial flavoring, making them just as harmful (5). 

Speaking of another beverage that poses an even greater risk to your liver, let’s talk about alcohol. Your liver can only process a limited amount of alcohol, and that amount varies from person to person. Alcohol is toxic to the liver, as are its metabolic byproducts. When your liver metabolizes alcohol, it creates a chemical called acetaldehyde, which leads to numerous negative effects — from facial flushing to hangover symptoms to DNA damage that can lead to cancer (6).

Even short periods of heavy drinking can lead to serious consequences, like acute alcohol-related hepatitis. This condition causes your liver to swell and become tender, killing liver cells. It also has an extremely high mortality rate of over 50%! Long-term drinking brings its own set of concerning health outcomes, including excessive buildup of fat in the liver (fatty liver disease or hepatic steatosis), liver cancer, alcohol-associated liver disease, and cirrhosis (6).

Threat #3: Medications

It’s also important to know that your liver helps break down certain medicines, including over-the-counter medications and prescriptions. Some medicines, however, are directly toxic to the liver or may trigger an allergic response. Painkillers and fever reducers containing acetaminophen are a particularly common cause of liver injury, especially when taken in doses exceeding recommended amounts (7).

Your Tools to Fight Back

With so many threats to liver health, protecting this vital organ has never been more important! Fortunately, there are several evidence-based ways to support your liver's natural functions:

● Staying well-hydrated helps your liver flush toxins more efficiently

● Avoiding or minimizing alcohol intake gives your liver less stress

● Eating a diet rich in whole foods provides your liver with the nutrients it needs

● Sticking to the recommended dosage listed on medications helps avoid liver injury

● Receiving a liver function test on a regular basis can help detect liver disease early

● Exercising helps reduce fat accumulation in your liver and improve insulin sensitivity (8)

Targeted nutritional support can also provide benefits. That’s where The Plug comes in! Featuring a powerful blend of 13 plants, fruits, and flowers backed by Traditional Korean Herbal Medicine, our formula delivers proven results in just seven days! Our two product lines — the Drink and the Pills — provide the clean energy and liver-cleansing support your body needs to function at peak capacity.

Protecting Your Liver

Caring for your liver is critical. Prevention and early detection of liver disease is key to getting ahead of potentially long-lasting problems. So make the smart choice today by taking care of your liver so your liver can take care of you!

Bibliography

1. Rivera W. The Healthy Liver [Internet]. American Liver Foundation. Updated 2023 Sept 6. Available from: https://liverfoundation.org/about-your-liver/how-liver-diseases-progress/the-healthy-liver 

2. Sanford J. Ultra-processed food: Five things to know [Internet]. Stanford Medicine News Center. 2025 July 15. Available from: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/07/ultra-processed-food--five-things-to-know.html 

3. Berg S. What doctors wish patients knew about ultraprocessed foods [Internet]. American Medical Association. 2024 Nov 8. Available from: https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-ultraprocessed-foods 

4. Guo C, Yang W-C, Zhou J, Wang J-J, Ji D. Ultra-Processed Food Intake and Risk of Adverse Liver Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Food Science [Internet]. 2025 June;90(6):e70303. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40476756 

5. Van Thomme G. 7 examples of processed food [Internet]. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 2023 Sept 29. Available from: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/7-examples-of-processed-food.h00-159621801.html 

6. Northwestern Medicine Staff. What Alcohol Does To The Liver [Internet]. Northwestern Medicine. 2022 June. Available from: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/What-Alcohol-Does-to-the-Liver 

7. Drug-induced liver injury [Internet]. NIH | MedlinePlus. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000226.htm 

8. 6 Tips for Keeping Your Liver Healthy [Internet]. Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, LLC. 2024 Nov 12. Available from: https://www.baygastro.com/post/6-tips-for-keeping-your-liver-healthy