Several groups of people should avoid or limit their consumption of liver due to potential health risks. Here's a breakdown:
- Pregnant women: Liver is very high in vitamin A, which can be harmful to a developing fetus in high doses. Excessive vitamin A intake during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects.
- People with gout: Liver is rich in purines, which break down into uric acid. High uric acid levels can trigger gout attacks.
- People with liver disease: Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer should avoid eating liver. This is because liver is high in fat and nutrients, which can put an extra strain on a compromised liver.
- People with high cholesterol: Liver contains cholesterol, so those with high cholesterol may want to limit their consumption.
- People with high blood pressure: The high levels of sodium and purines in liver can raise blood pressure.
- People with type 2 diabetes: High levels of cholesterol and saturated fat in liver can worsen insulin resistance.
It is generally recommended to eat liver only once a week to avoid exceeding the daily recommended intake of vitamin A and other nutrients.
