A Doctor Shares the Best Teas To Manage—and Even Help Reverse—Fatty Liver Disease
Plus learn why more is not always better
If you’ve recently learned you’re dealing with excess liver fat or have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after routine bloodwork, you’re not alone. Nearly 100 million people in the US have NAFLD, according to the American Liver Foundation. The key to reversing it is lifestyle change. And surprisingly, the right kind of tea for fatty liver can deliver powerful health benefits. We spoke to an expert on teas that help protect the liver to find out which ones are worth adding to your cart.
What is fatty liver disease?
“NAFLD is a serious and unfortunately common condition in which fat accumulates in the liver, impeding its function and eventually causing damage in the form of scarring, cirrhosis and even liver cancer,” says Stacie Stephenson, DC, CNS, is a pioneer of functional and integrative medicine and board member of The American Nutrition Association.
As the name suggests, NAFLD is not caused by alcohol consumption. So what triggers it? “It is likely caused by a combination of an unhealthy lifestyle and genetics,” says Dr. Stephenson. “Risk factors include obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, but not everyone with these conditions develops excessive liver fat.”
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Symptoms of fatty liver disease
“In the early stages, there are usually no symptoms, which is one reason why NAFLD is so dangerous—it can advance without warning,” says Dr. Stephenson. “In later stages, the symptoms are often vague.” They may include:
- Fatigue
- A general feeling of unwellness
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
“If you have diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity, however, you can assume you are at risk,” Dr. Stephenson says. Ask your doctor to test your liver function at your annual physical, and check out more early symptoms of fatty liver disease here.
How tea can improve liver health
At first, the idea of changing your lifestyle for liver health may sound overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure what that means. But it doesn’t require drastic changes, like going from no exercise to signing up for a 5k. Small steps, such as adding tea to your daily routine, can make a difference.
“Some teas can help to promote liver health by stimulating bile secretion, which can help the liver to detoxify naturally and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action,” Dr. Stephenson explains. “This could help reduce liver inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.”
The 5 best teas for fatty liver
Dr. Stephenson recommends these teas for supporting liver health and managing fatty liver disease.
Artichoke tea
“Thought to target liver fat and promote liver cleansing, artichoke tea helps stimulate bile secretion through a compound called cynarin, and is also a natural diuretic,” says Dr. Stephenson.
Green tea
“My go-to tea, green tea contains EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that can help to reduce oxidative stress in the liver and may aid in releasing liver fat,” says Dr. Stephenson. “It also reduces oxidative stress and inflammation all over the body, which can help all systems work more efficiently.”
Milk thistle tea
“This tea contains a powerful antioxidant called silymarin that might target liver cells, but it is more likely to provide general antioxidant action, neutralizing free radicals and reducing the burden on a compromised liver,” says Dr. Stephenson.
Dandelion tea
“This tea is thought to enhance bile secretion, which can help the liver to clear out toxins more efficiently,” says Dr. Stephenson, which may head off potential liver damage. “Dandelion tea is also a natural diuretic, flushing water out of the body to aid in natural detoxification.”
Curcumin or turmeric tea:
“Curcumin, an ingredient in the spice turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce overall inflammation that may be occupying the immune system,” says Dr. Stephenson. “Less inflammation means more immune activity available to target problem areas, such as a fatty liver.”
How often should you drink tea for fatty liver?
While tea can have protective effects for liver health thanks to its antioxidant properties, it’s important not to go overboard. You also want to be aware of the potential health risks and talk to your doctor before adding tea to your daily regimen.
“With any herbal tea, you can have a cup or two a day, but don’t be extreme,” Dr. Stephenson cautions. “Many natural compounds are therapeutic in small doses but toxic in large doses. More is not better. A cup or two of any of these teas every day over time will have a more therapeutic effect than drinking large amounts all at once.”
And while tea can support liver health, Dr. Stephenson warns it’s not a cure-all. “It is a lifestyle behavior that can support health in general and the liver specifically,” says Dr. Stephenson. “However, without also changing your diet, moving more, managing your stress and addressing underlying disease processes like diabetes and high cholesterol, tea alone will not be very helpful.”
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