Jaundice: How to choose the right diet for a speedy recovery

The food we eat not only provides us with energy to carry out daily activities but also plays an essential role in keeping us healthy and disease-free. Whenever suffering from any health-related ailments, it is advised to take special care of the eating habits for a speedy recovery and the same goes for jaundice. Jaundice is a common disease related to the liver and occurs widely in newborns, young children, and immune-compromised adolescents and adults.

Jaundice is a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, which is a yellow pigment released during the breakdown of red blood cells. This happens when the normal function of the liver is hampered due to some reason, which is typically responsible for clearing out all the toxins and damaged cells from the body. Too much bilirubin pigment causes the skin, eyes, and gums to turn yellow.

One of the major functions of the liver is to produce bile juice that helps the small intestine to break down fats into fatty acids. Besides, our liver is also responsible for removing toxins from the body and metabolising digested nutrients. All the foods and drinks we consume are metabolised differently and for that our liver has to work in a different manner. Some foods are liver-friendly and are easy to digest, while others put too much pressure on the organ, making it work harder. When being diagnosed with jaundice, the patients are generally advised to eat liver-friendly foods to protect it from further damage.

Including healthy food rich in enzymes, antioxidants and nutrients in the diet can help to overcome liver-related complications and improve your health conditions.

The most important step is to stay hydrated. Water makes the work of the liver easier by helping in the digestion process and flushing out toxins from the body. Drink at least 2 litres of water daily for a speedy recovery.

Fruits and vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrients, which can help to overcome fatigue. But most importantly, it contains antioxidants and fiber, which can ease the digestion process. All kinds of fruits and vegetables are good for health, but some are more liver-friendly like grapes, lemon, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and spinach.

Food-rich in the digestive enzyme is also proven to be beneficial in jaundice. Honey, pineapple, papaya and mango are some food items that have naturally occurring digestive enzymes.

All the three food items are rich in antioxidants and fiber which can be beneficial for the liver.

As per a 2013 study, oats can improve the functioning of the liver if consumed regularly for 12 weeks. Even walnuts are considered good for liver health.

Foods and drinks that can make the liver work harder should be limited or completely avoided when suffering from jaundice. Having these food items can decrease your recovery rate.

When suffering from jaundice one has to stay clear of fried, processed and extra spicy foods. Processed foods contain a high amount of sugar, which can impair the functioning of the liver.

Similarly, a diet high in refined salt may also be troublesome as it can damage your liver and lead to water retention in the body.

Processed foods also contain fats which can lead to fat buildup in the liver.

Alcohol is again difficult to digest. Moreover, it contains compounds that can be toxic to the liver when suffering from jaundice. It can cause liver inflammation and fibrosis. People suffering from jaundice should completely avoid alcohol for a while.