6 Drinks That May Help Prevent Liver Disease — and Support Liver Repair

As liver disease rates continue to climb across the US, researchers are identifying more clearly which drinks may harm the liver—and which could offer some protection.

More than 100 million Americans are living with some form of liver disease. Fatty liver disease is among the most common conditions, while others develop cirrhosis, a form of permanent liver scarring.

Alcohol has long been linked to liver damage. When the body breaks it down, toxic byproducts can promote fat accumulation, inflammation and, over time, scarring.

Sugary soft drinks, sweetened teas and energy drinks can also raise the risk by contributing to weight gain and excess fat stored in the liver.

At the same time, growing research suggests that some beverages may support liver health—and the options extend beyond plain water.

Coffee, particularly when served without syrups or large amounts of added sugar, contains plant-based compounds associated with less inflammation and slower progression of liver scarring.

Beetroot and grapefruit juices are rich in antioxidants, which may help the liver process excess toxins while shielding liver cells from damage.

Adding lemon, lime or cucumber to water can make it more appealing while increasing intake of nutrients such as vitamin C. In people with fatty liver disease, vitamin C has been associated with lower levels of potentially harmful liver enzymes.

Here, dietitians highlight some of the drinks that may be among the healthiest choices for protecting liver health.

Coffee

Coffee orders can quickly become high in sugar and artificial flavorings, but drinking it black or with a small amount of milk may be a more liver-friendly choice.

In a 2026 study, researchers tracked coffee habits among more than 350,000 adults who did not have cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of primary liver cancer.

During the 13-year follow-up, participants who drank more than five cups a day had a 32 percent lower risk of cirrhosis and a 47 percent lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

This group also faced a 42 percent lower risk of dying from a liver-related illness.

The apparent benefit was seen with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, indicating that caffeine alone may not explain the association.

Researchers instead pointed to compounds including chlorogenic acid and kahweol, which may help reduce fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver.

Dr Theresa DeLorenzo, a dietitian and professor of nutrition science at Russell Sage College in New York, told Our News Outlet that coffee’s antioxidants and other bioactive compounds may help limit inflammation, support healthy cells and reduce fat buildup—all factors that can benefit the liver.

Supporting evidence also came from a 2021 study, which linked drinking at least two cups of coffee per day with a 21 percent lower risk of chronic liver disease and a 20 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

The American Liver Foundation recommends choosing coffee without added sugar, since excess sugar may contribute to inflammation and place additional strain on the liver.

DeLorenzo also said she encourages clients to mix in ground cinnamon, ginger or turmeric to add more anti-inflammatory ingredients to their coffee.

Herbal tea

Herbal teas such as green, lemon ginger and turmeric tea are generally seen as soothing, and this may be true for the liver as well. 

‘These teas help to decrease inflammation and promotes detoxification, improving liver health,’ DeLorenzo said. 

In one 2020 review, researchers found that drinking green tea regularly helped lower the liver enzymes AST and ALT in people with fatty liver disease. Elevated levels of these enzymes have been shown to signal inflammation or damage in the liver.

However, there were no significant changes in people who were not already diagnosed with fatty liver disease or a related condition.  

One 2026 study in mice looking at an oil mixture of lemon and ginger found the combination helped reduce ALT levels by lowering inflammation. 

DeLorenzo also points toward milk thistle tea, which contains the protective antioxidant silymarin. It is thought to encourage protein synthesis, a process that can help regenerate damaged liver cells.  

Experts recommend against overdoing it, however. Recent studies have shown high-dose green tea supplements have been linked to rare cases of liver injuries.

Beetroot and grapefruit juice

It may not be as popular as a glass of orange juice in the morning, but beetroot juice is an unsung hero for the liver. 

The purple juice contains dietary nitrates, naturally occurring compounds that the body converts into nitric oxide to support blood flow, reducing liver inflammation. 

The antioxidants betalains and betaine found in beetroot juice have also been shown to protect liver cells and prevent fat from building up within the organ.  

In one 2023 study lasting 12 weeks, adults diagnosed with fatty liver disease were split into four groups: control, a Mediterranean diet with beetroot juice, Mediterranean diet alone and beetroot juice alone. 

The group that consumed both the Mediterranean diet and beetroot juice had significant reductions in liver fat based on ultrasound scans. 

They also experienced improvements in liver enzymes, fats called triglycerides and cholesterol levels. 

Additionally, grapefruit juice contains the antioxidant naringin, which some lab studies have suggested may protect liver cells from alcohol. A study in the journal Carcinogenesis also showed similar findings in rats. 

Chia seed water 

Water is arguably the best drink for promoting liver health, but for some added excitement, DeLorenzo suggests adding chia seeds.  

‘Chia seed water promotes hydration, decreased inflammation promotes healthy bowel movements because of the fiber content –  improving gut health and reducing the workload on the liver,’ she told Our News Outlet.  

One two-tablespoon serving of chia seeds contains 10g of dietary fiber, which adds bulk to stool and allows it to pass easily, promoting regular bowel movements. 

This stops harmful bacteria and toxins from lingering in the gut and leaking into the blood, which can place strain on the liver. Additionally, when digestion moves smoothly, the liver does not have to overwork to break down unabsorbed food.

Chia seeds also contain omega-3 fatty acids that may help lower fat accumulation in the liver.

In one small clinical trial, researchers gave 25g of milled chia seeds to patients with fatty liver disease every day for eight weeks. In 52 percent of treated patients, their disease improved and the amount of fat in their blood decreased. 

A 2024 study in mice also found that chia seeds helped lower inflammation in the liver in mice with high cholesterol. 

Infused water

Similarly, infusing water with lemon, lime, cucumbers, mint and other similar additives may ‘provide antioxidants which reduce the potential for oxidative liver damage,’ DeLorenzo said. 

These additives are also high in vitamin C, which studies have shown may lower liver enzymes such as AST and ALT in patients with fatty liver disease. 

One 2021 clinical trial of 84 people with fatty liver disease found that consuming 1,000mg of vitamin C each day lowered both AST and ALT. 

Additionally, the vitamin was associated with improved insulin resistance, which in turn can lower fat accumulation in the liver. 

Flavorings in water can also make it easier to stay hydrated in general, DeLorenzo notes, which ‘allows for optimal blood flow to the liver.’ 

Proper hydration helps thin the blood, allowing the liver to filter waste out of it without extra strain. 

DeLorenzo also suggests electrolyte mixes that combine sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, which can further hydrate liver cells.