Don’t Be Reckless with Drinking During Chinese New Year: The Liver’s “Little Secrets” You Should Kno

Don’t Be Reckless with Drinking During Chinese New Year: The Liver’s “Little Secrets” You Should Know

During the Chinese New Year holiday, gatherings with family and friends often involve toasting and drinking, which enhances the festive atmosphere. However, in the midst of celebration, don’t forget the “silent organ” in our body that works tirelessly—the liver. As the metabolic core of the human body, every drop of alcohol consumed is a challenge to it. Today, let’s talk about drinking during Chinese New Year and liver protection, so that joy and health can go hand in hand.

01 Alcohol Harms the Liver: Four Steps Toward Irreversible Damage

Don’t think occasional drinking is harmless; the damage alcohol inflicts on the liver progresses step by step, and it can start in just a few weeks:

• Initial stage: Alcoholic fatty liver disease, where liver cells are filled with fat droplets.
• Progressive stage: Alcoholic hepatitis, where liver cells become inflamed and necrotic, leading to jaundice and abdominal pain.
• End stage: Alcoholic cirrhosis, where the liver’s structure is destroyed and function severely impaired.
• High risk: Long-term drinking significantly increases the risk of liver cancer.

02 Two Types of People Who Should Not Touch a Drop of Alcohol

• Patients with viral hepatitis: Those with hepatitis B or C, regardless of viral load, must completely abstain from alcohol! Alcohol can activate the virus and reduce drug efficacy; clinically, many people have accelerated cirrhosis due to “just a little drink.”
• Patients with fatty liver disease: Even non-alcoholic fatty liver disease requires strict alcohol limitation. Alcohol combined with a high-fat diet is a “double blow” to the liver.

03 Liver Distress Signals: Seek Immediate Medical Attention if These Appear

If your body shows these signs, don’t tough it out; get checked immediately:

✅ Urine dark yellow like strong tea, yellowing of the whites of the eyes.

✅ Unexplained extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

✅ Sudden loss of appetite, aversion to oil, and nausea.

✅ Dull pain or bloating in the upper right abdomen.

✅ Spider angiomas on the skin, red palms (palmar erythema).

04 A Joyful Chinese New Year Without Alcohol: Healthy Alternatives

Friendship isn’t measured by the strength of the drink; health is the true essence of the New Year. Try these for gatherings:

• Substitute tea for alcohol: Black tea, Pu-erh tea—the aroma adds to the atmosphere.
• Non-alcoholic beverages: Homemade fruit tea, healthy hot drinks, suitable for all ages.
• Change the activity: Turn the drinking table into board games, movie watching, or outdoor outings for more enjoyable gatherings.

Chinese New Year Reunion

Safety First

One Less Drink, One More Bit of Health

Protect Your Liver, Let Gatherings Be More Peaceful