A Man Who Never Drank Alc.ohol Di.ed of Li.ver Failure — Doctor Sighs: "Even an Iron Li.ver Would Fail if You Eat These 4 Foods Daily!"

Alc.ohol isn't the li.ver's only "kil.ler." Many seemingly harmless but popular foods can rapidly damage the li.ver.

When discussing liver-damaging factors, most people immediately think of alcohol. That's why Mr. Ly's family and friends were shocked—even devastated—when they learned he had liver failure and ultimately passed away from it at just 55 years old.

According to his family, Mr. Ly always considered himself healthy—he ate and slept well. But he often felt fatigued for no apparent reason, had discomfort in the right upper abdomen, and his belly was noticeably growing. Only when the pain in his right upper abdomen—where the liver is located—became more intense, and symptoms like swollen legs and yellowing skin appeared, did he finally go for a checkup. The diagnosis: chronic liver failure, despite the fact he almost never drank alcohol.

In the later stages, Mr. Ly’s condition worsened. He was hospitalized in a state of confusion, hand tremors, gastrointestinal bleeding, and eventually slipped into hepatic encephalopathy—a coma caused by the accumulation of toxins in the blood, leading to brain damage. Despite the medical team's best efforts, they were unable to save him.

Mr. Ly’s doctor explained that many people believe only liver cancer leads to death. In fact, acute or severe chronic liver failure can also be fatal, as the liver loses its ability to detoxify, metabolize substances, and produce proteins. In advanced stages, liver failure leads to cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, or hepatic coma—all among the leading causes of liver-related deaths.

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4 Liver-Damaging Foods People Eat Daily Without Realizing

According to the doctor, Mr. Ly’s liver failure wasn't due to alcohol but rather to poor dietary habits that were equally harmful. He regularly consumed all four of the following liver-damaging foods:

1. Moldy Food

Moldy food contains aflatoxins—potent carcinogens that can cause liver cancer. Even in small amounts, these toxins accumulate in the liver and cause chronic damage. Many people, like Mr. Ly, mistakenly believe that removing the moldy part is enough. In reality, the toxins have already spread throughout the food, forcing the liver to work overtime to detoxify, ultimately leading to functional decline and disease.

2. Pickled Vegetables

Mr. Ly loved pickled vegetables, especially quick-pickled varieties, and ate them almost daily for years. Even after his diagnosis, he couldn’t quit them despite the doctor’s advice. Pickled vegetables—especially quick-pickled ones—contain high levels of nitrites, which convert into nitrosamines, strong carcinogens linked to liver cancer. The excess salt burdens the liver, causing inflammation and chronic damage that can lead to liver failure. Long-term consumption increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

3. Reused Cooking Oil

The doctor noted that fried foods are already unhealthy for the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. But Mr. Ly had an even worse habit—he often reused cooking oil many times to save money. Reused oil produces trans fats, oxidized compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—all harmful toxins that damage the liver.

4. Carbonated Soft Drinks

Although Mr. Ly didn’t drink alcohol, he was addicted to soft drinks. After being diagnosed with liver failure, he switched to sugar-free versions—unaware that both types are harmful to the liver. Regular soft drinks contain high levels of fructose, which can lead to fat buildup, liver inflammation, and long-term damage. Sugar-free versions often contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, which disrupt metabolism and increase the risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance. Regular consumption overburdens the liver, leading to chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Artificial sweeteners also create toxic compounds, further stressing the liver.