Jaundice is a pathological condition when bilirubin concentration is increased in the human body due to improper functioning of the liver and digestive juices.
Every food material goes through the liver for processing and extraction of nutrients for physiological functions. Also, the liver helps remove toxins and damaged cells. So, diet and lifestyle have a direct impact on liver health. Generally, bilirubin concentration increases beyond 3 mg/dL for visible symptoms of a jaundice patient like yellowing of skin and eyes. For them, a specific diet plan must be followed for quick recovery. Go through this article to know about it.
Drink 3-4 liters of water daily:
Water consumption promotes the removal of toxins from the body, eventually improving liver health. To achieve this, you need to consume at least 4 liters of water daily. It also improves blood circulation.
Drink herbal tea or coffee regularly:
Many people avoid energy drinks like tea or coffee during jaundice, which is not at all a good idea. Moderate consumption of tea or coffee improves the condition. It stimulates the secretion of essential enzymes and digestive juices. Furthermore, herbal tea can treat liver cirrhosis by reducing inflammation. Another major benefit obtained by coffee or tea is an abundance of antioxidants to stimulate toxin removal.
Eat fruits and vegetables that stimulate digestive juice secretion:
Digestive enzymes help reduce bilirubin concentration in blood. Some natural products like honey or fruits like pineapple, mango, orange, and papaya promote the secretion of digestive juice. You can also eat avocado, grapes, grapefruit, and brussels sprouts. Include sesame, chia, and pumpkin seeds in your diet.
Include nuts and legumes in your diet:
Generally, nuts and legumes are enriched with antioxidants like phenolic acid and vitamin E. They are a good source of dietary fiber which supports liver health. You can eat cashew nuts, walnuts, and soaked almonds regularly during jaundice, but don't consume more than 10 nuts.
Foods to avoid during jaundice:
Just like eating essential fruits and vegetables, you need to avoid several mouthwatering items. The first thing you need to control is your fat intake, especially saturated fats. You may choose to cook with unsaturated fat like sunflower or safflower oils. Never consume excess iron, which deteriorates liver health. So, you must consume lentils, spinach, and broccoli in moderation. Also, you need to avoid refined sugar like high-fructose corn syrup which leads to liver damage. Salt is another compound that you can consume in moderation as excess sodium is bad for your liver.
You must be cautious about bilirubin concentration in your child as it affects young children and newborns mostly.
