Chilli peppers hold promise of preventing liver damage and progression (2024)

Results revealed today at the International Liver Congress™ 2015 show that the daily consumption of capsaicin, the active compound of chilli peppers, was found to have beneficial effects on liver damage.

In the study, capsaicin was found to reduce the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in mice models. HSCs are the major cell type involved in liver fibrosis, which is the formation of scar tissue in response to liver damage.

The mice were split into two groups and received capsaicin in their food:

  • After three days of bile duct ligation (BDL) in which the common bile duct is obstructed, leading to bile accumulation and liver fibrosis
  • Before and during chronic carbon tetrachloride treatment (CCl4). CCl4 is an inorganic compound that was widely used in fire extinguishers, as a precursor to refrigerants and as a cleaning agent. It is now known to be one of the most potent hepatotoxins

The study demonstrates that capsaicin partially improved liver damage in the BDL mice and inhibited further progression of the injury. In the second group of CCl4-treated mice, capsaicin prevented livers from injury development but did not reduce the fibrosis when it was already established.

These results support the need for further investigation into capsaicin for the treatment and prevention of liver injury and fibrosis.

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Materials provided by European Association for the Study of the Liver. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Chilli peppers hold promise of preventing liver damage and progression (2024)

FAQs

Is green chilli good for liver cirrhosis? ›

It may show an antioxidant property. It may show an anti-inflammatory property. It may help with stomach ulcers. It may help take care of the liver.

Does red chilli affect the liver? ›

These scientific evidences show that hot red pepper possesses some chemical and pharmacological properties which are capable of inducing liver damage. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, the excessive consumption of red pepper is capable of inducing liver damage and so should be avoided.

How do you stop liver disease from progression? ›

The main treatments are cutting out salt from your diet and taking a type of medicine called a diuretic, such as spironolactone or furosemide. If the fluid in your tummy becomes infected, you may need antibiotics. In severe cases, you may need to have the fluid drained from your tummy area with a tube.

Which spice is good for liver? ›

Coriander, fennel, cumin and turmeric are all helpful herbs for gently improving liver function, according to Dr.

Are chili peppers good for liver? ›

The study demonstrates that capsaicin partially improved liver damage in the BDL mice and inhibited further progression of the injury.

Is Chillies good for liver? ›

Daily chilli consumption helps to repair liver damage and can stall the progression of liver fibrosis, according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver.

Does pepper detox the liver? ›

Purges the Liver

The capsaicin in hot peppers activates a process called autophagy, the healthy degradation and recycling of cells, in the liver. In an animal study, researchers discovered that frequently eating cayenne pepper promotes the breakdown of fat stored in the liver.

Is spicy food good for fatty liver? ›

Hot spicy foods: Hot and spicy foods such as garlic, ginger, chili, coffee, pepper, ... are not good foods for people with fatty liver disease. If you deliberately eat it, it will make the condition worse and weakened because the liver cannot excrete fat.

Are peppers good for fatty liver? ›

Foods rich in vitamin E, including red bell peppers, spinach, peanuts, and nuts: Dr. Delgado-Borrego recommends these types of foods, rich in vitamin E, as beneficial to people with fatty liver. While more studies are needed, one concludes that the vitamin shows modest improvement for people who have NAFLD or NASH.

How long before the liver starts to repair itself? ›

Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months. In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein.

What is the fastest way to cure liver disease? ›

How is fatty liver disease treated?
  1. Avoiding alcohol.
  2. Losing weight.
  3. Taking medications to manage diabetes, cholesterol and triglycerides (fat in the blood).
  4. Taking vitamin E and thiazolidinediones (drugs used to treat diabetes such as Actos® and Avandia®) in specific instances .
31 Jul 2020

How long will the liver take to repair? ›

The liver, however, is able to replace damaged tissue with new cells. If up to 50 to 60 percent of the liver cells may be killed within three to four days in an extreme case like a Tylenol overdose, the liver will repair completely after 30 days if no complications arise.

What foods help repair a liver? ›

11 Foods That Are Good for Your Liver
  • Coffee. Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health. ...
  • Tea. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Blueberries and cranberries. ...
  • Grapes. ...
  • Prickly pear. ...
  • Beetroot juice. ...
  • Cruciferous vegetables.

What herbs repair the liver? ›

Here are the 10 best herbs that have been shown to improve liver health.
...
  • Milk thistle (silymarin) ...
  • Ginseng. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Licorice. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Danshen.
14 Dec 2020

Which herb cleans the liver? ›

Milk Thistle (or St Mary's Thistle Seed)

One of the most potent herbs for detoxifying the liver, milk thistle extract may assist the elimination of heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental pollutants, and alcohol in the liver.

Does cayenne pepper help the liver? ›

Is cayenne pepper good for your liver? A. Yes, according to research, capsaicin has hepatoprotective properties that reduce the risk of liver inflammation. Capsaicin also protects against oxidative stress, which prevents the death of liver cells.

Is onion good for liver repair? ›

Onions have sulfur-containing amino acids, which aid in detoxing your liver.

How can I make my liver more powerful? ›

Here are 13 tried and true ways to achieve liver wellness!
  1. Maintain a healthy weight. ...
  2. Eat a balanced diet. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Avoid toxins. ...
  5. Use alcohol responsibly. ...
  6. Avoid the use of illicit drugs. ...
  7. Avoid contaminated needles. ...
  8. Get medical care if you're exposed to blood.
24 Jun 2021

How can you heal liver? ›

Focus on a healthy diet
  1. getting sufficient fiber from sources like whole grains as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
  2. choosing lean protein sources, such as seafood, skinless poultry, or legumes, as opposed to fattier meats.
  3. reducing your intake of foods or drinks that are high in sugars, salt, or unhealthy fats.
8 Sept 2020

Is garlic good for liver? ›

A mineral present in Garlic, called selenium can cleanse the liver. It can trigger liver enzymes, and naturally flush out the toxins from your body. The new-age superfood can cleanse the arteries, and help in gettin rid of the liver toxins.

What can flush your liver? ›

To ensure your diet is benefiting your liver in the long term, try the following:
  • Eat a variety of foods. Choose whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, dairy, and healthy fats. ...
  • Get enough fiber. ...
  • Stay hydrated. ...
  • Limit fatty, sugary, and salty foods. ...
  • Drink coffee.
25 Aug 2020

How can I cleanse my liver in 7 days? ›

Cutting out processed foods, simple carbohydrates, alcohol, and fatty foods can jump-start your liver health to a positive place. Many foods help the liver, and many foods harm the liver.
...
The healthiest fats for liver health are:
  1. Nuts.
  2. Nut butter.
  3. Avocado.
  4. Salmon.
  5. Walnuts.
  6. Flaxseed.
  7. Chia seeds.
  8. Some vegetable cooking oils.
16 Sept 2021

Is spicy food harmful for the liver? ›

Fried Foods: Fatty liver patients should not consume oily and spicy foods. Food items that are high in calories and fat are very harmful to the liver.

Does garlic reduce fatty liver? ›

Garlic: Anti-inflammatory properties of garlic can be beneficial for people with fatty liver disease.

What vegetables can cure fatty liver? ›

Compounds found in spinach and other leafy greens may help fight fatty liver disease. A 2021 study found that eating spinach specifically lowered the risk of NAFLD, possibly due to the nitrate and distinct polyphenols found in the leafy green.

Why is coffee good for the liver? ›

When your body digests caffeine, it makes a chemical called paraxanthine that slows the growth of the scar tissue involved in fibrosis. That may help fight liver cancer, alcohol-related cirrhosis, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, and hepatitis C.

What foods are hard on the liver? ›

Stay Away From Fatty Foods

French fries and burgers are a poor choice to keep your liver healthy. Eat too many foods that are high in saturated fat and it can make it harder for your liver to do its job. Over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn could cause scarring of the liver that's known as cirrhosis.

What are 4 warning signs of a damaged liver? ›

If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark urine color.
  • Pale stool color.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
8 Apr 2022

How do I know my liver is healing? ›

You will experience physical signs your liver is healing, such as healthier-looking skin and eyes, increased energy levels, and reduced stomach pain and swelling. Other signs your liver is healing include: Improved amino-acid regulation – Your liver processes proteins and amino acids that your body cannot store.

Can your liver heal itself from cirrhosis? ›

Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a stage of ARLD where the liver has become significantly scarred. Even at this stage, there may not be any obvious symptoms. It's generally not reversible, but stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase your life expectancy.

Which fruit is best for liver? ›

Fill your fruit basket with apples, grapes and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which are proven to be liver-friendly fruits. Consume grapes as it is, in the form of a grape juice or supplement your diet with grape seed extracts to increase antioxidant levels in your body and protect your liver from toxins.

How can I detox my liver in 3 days? ›

How is the 3-day liver cleanse juice diet done?
  1. Morning detox tea.
  2. Breakfast drink.
  3. Supplements.
  4. Lunch drink.
  5. Supplements (multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics)
  6. Snack drink.
  7. Dinner drink.
  8. Detox ultra-bath.
8 Mar 2022

Can liver damage be stopped? ›

If you have fatty liver disease, the damage may be reversed if you abstain from alcohol for at least 2 weeks. After this point, it's usually safe to start drinking again if you stick to the NHS guidelines on alcohol consumption.

Can liver grow back if damaged? ›

The liver is the only organ in the body that can replace lost or injured tissue (regenerate). The donor's liver will soon grow back to normal size after surgery. The part that you receive as a new liver will also grow to normal size in a few weeks.

Where do you feel liver pain? ›

Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs. General abdominal pain and discomfort can also be related to swelling from fluid retention and enlargement of your spleen and liver caused by cirrhosis.

How do you reverse liver damage? ›

If you have fatty liver disease, the damage may be reversed if you abstain from alcohol for a period of time (this could be months or years). After this point, it's usually safe to start drinking again if you stick to the NHS guidelines on alcohol units. However, it's important to check with your doctor first.

Is cucumber good for the liver? ›

Cucumbers have fever reducing qualities as well as cooling and detoxifying effects on the liver. When eaten on a daily basis (at least one whole cucumber) they can actually reverse some liver damage and toxic load.

Is pineapple good for liver? ›

These results indicate that pineapple fruit consumption can restore fatty liver and protect vascular endothelium in diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia through an improvement of hepatic cholesterol metabolism.

Is cinnamon good for the liver? ›

Cinnamon may have therapeutic benefits on lipid profile, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients.

How can I detox my liver in 2 days? ›

For two days, I recommend the following:
  1. Sip on dandelion tea.
  2. Apple cider vinegar water.
  3. Green smoothie with parsley and cilantro (recipe below)
  4. Plenty of electrolyte water to help flush toxins.
  5. Steamed veggies with lemon and Celtic sea salt.

How can I cleanse my liver in 24 hours? ›

The 6-Step Liver Cleanse
  1. Remove toxic foods from your diet.
  2. Drink raw vegetable juice.
  3. Load up on potassium-rich foods.
  4. Do a coffee enema.
  5. Take milk thistle, dandelion and turmeric supplements.
  6. Eat liver or take beef liver tablets.
28 Mar 2019

Is lemon good for liver? ›

Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. To help improve liver function, enjoy 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with water each day.

What should be avoided in cirrhosis? ›

If you have cirrhosis, be careful to limit additional liver damage:
  • Don't drink alcohol. Whether your cirrhosis was caused by chronic alcohol use or another disease, avoid alcohol. ...
  • Eat a low-sodium diet. ...
  • Eat a healthy diet. ...
  • Avoid infections. ...
  • Use over-the-counter medications carefully.
6 Feb 2021

What foods can help cirrhosis of the liver? ›

Eat more calories and protein
  • Beans and pulses such as lentils, kidney beans, or baked beans.
  • Nuts such as almonds or walnuts.
  • Eggs, cheese and other dairy products.
  • Fish such as cod, salmon, and tinned or fresh tuna, sardines or mackerel.
  • Meats such as turkey, chicken, or lean cuts of beef, pork and lamb.

What can I cook for someone with cirrhosis of the liver? ›

What to Eat
  • Fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked without butter, oil, or salt)
  • Eggs, egg whites.
  • Cooked fish (salmon, tuna)
  • Lean chicken or turkey (without the skin)
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt.
  • Cream cheese, ricotta.
  • Hard cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella)
  • Nuts and seeds (unsalted)
9 Jul 2022

Which food should be most avoided during cirrhosis? ›

Foods to avoid

Highly processed foods: fast food, convenience meals, canned soups, packaged snacks. Unhealthy fats: margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods. Salty snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, microwave popcorn. Processed meats: hot dogs, sausage, deli meats, bacon, beef jerky.

Can turmeric cure liver cirrhosis? ›

Curcumin also partially reversed the fibrosis induced by CCl(4). Curcumin was effective in preventing and reversing cirrhosis, probably by its ability of reducing TGF-beta expression. These data suggest that curcumin might be an effective antifibrotic and fibrolitic drug in the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases.

How can I make my liver powerful? ›

Here are 13 tried and true ways to achieve liver wellness!
  1. Maintain a healthy weight. ...
  2. Eat a balanced diet. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Avoid toxins. ...
  5. Use alcohol responsibly. ...
  6. Avoid the use of illicit drugs. ...
  7. Avoid contaminated needles. ...
  8. Get medical care if you're exposed to blood.
24 Jun 2021

Can cirrhosis repair itself? ›

The liver damage done by cirrhosis generally can't be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited and, rarely, reversed.

Are boiled eggs good for the liver? ›

Eggs are rich in all the eight essential amino acids and choline, which is also a vital nutrient. The amino acids and choline help the liver in the detoxification process and improve the metabolism rate.

Is rice good for liver cirrhosis? ›

Snack foods and fast foods should also be avoided due to the high amounts of saturated fat. Refined sugars, and carbohydrates, for example, white bread, pasta, sugar, white rice, sweets and cakes, are all hard on the liver. Be sure to limit your consumption of anything that is made with white flour or sugar.

Are carrots good for cirrhosis? ›

If you have cirrhosis, you need a special diet (be sure to ask). Do not eat excessive amounts of any one type of food; for example, drinking large amounts of carrot juice can increase your beta carotene to liver-toxic levels.

Is garlic good for liver cirrhosis? ›

A mineral present in Garlic, called selenium can cleanse the liver. It can trigger liver enzymes, and naturally flush out the toxins from your body.

Is chicken good for liver? ›

Fish and chicken

One important job your liver does is processing different proteins, fats and carbohydrates for your body to use. This is why you'll want to include plenty of healthy proteins like fish and chicken into your diet.

What vegetables are good for the liver? ›

If you love broccoli, you're in luck. This cruciferous vegetable — along with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and mustard greens — are good for your liver. They are a source of fiber, which supports liver health. Plus, they contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may help prevent liver cancer.

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