“Cirrhosis of liver?”
I have cirrhosis of the liver and have changed my entire diet. I just have two questions. Coffee is supposed to be amazing for the liver but I can only drink decaf. Does that work as well? Also, I stopped eating foods high in sodium but I can't have any. Can I have a sodium-free salt substitute instead?
Female | 38 years old
Complaint duration: 12 months
Conditions: Cirrhosis
2 Answers
The exact effects of coffee on cirrhosis have not yet been clarified, but you can have your coffee the way you like it. What led to cirrhosis for you is not mentioned here, and the cause of cirrhosis is important. Some salt substitutes are likely to increase your potassium levels and so you should be careful with those.
There is no good evidence that coffee benefits a cirrhotic liver, nor does it seem to cause any harm. So decaf makes no difference.
A low sodium diet (2 grams per day maximum) is recommended for people with cirrhosis and ascites (fluid in the abdomen). Eating less salt helps reduce retention of fluid. A sodium substitute is perfectly fine.
A low sodium diet (2 grams per day maximum) is recommended for people with cirrhosis and ascites (fluid in the abdomen). Eating less salt helps reduce retention of fluid. A sodium substitute is perfectly fine.
