The list of things not to drink to preserve your liver health is long. Number one, of course, is alcohol. But soda, fruit juice, and artificially flavored beverages can all wreak havoc on your liver since their high fructose content may lead to fat buildup in the belly, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. However, gastroenterologistJoseph Salhab, MD, says there are seven drinks you can add to your diet that can actually protect your liver.

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1. Chia seed water ​Here’s how to eat them.Shutterstock

Chia seed water is one of the year's biggest social media trends, but many doctors agree that it's not just a fad. As Salhab points out in a TikTok video, chia seeds are very high in magnesium and fiber, both of which are "beneficial in metabolic liver conditions."

All you have to do is soak a quarter cup of chia seeds in one cup of water. "When chia seeds are soaked, they form a gel-like consistency, absorbing up to 27 times their weight, helping mop up toxins that are causing inflammation," Daryl Gioffre, DC, a chiropractor, nutrition expert, and the founder of Alkamind, previously explained to Best Life.

However, Salhab recommends making a "chia fresca" drink by adding cucumbers for added hydration and lemon for vitamin C, "which supports antioxidant defenses."

2. Berry kefir smoothie

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Think of kefir as a cross between milk and yogurt. However, "kefir is different from milk in that it is cultured, which provides numerous healthy bacteria," Shelley Balls, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian and nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest, previously told Best Life.

Because kefir is so high in probiotics (and has a wider range of them than yogurt), it's a superfood for gut health, which, in turn, "may reduce liver inflammation via the gut-liver axis," writes Salhab.

Adding berries to the drink gives it an added dose of antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins, which Salhab says are "linked to reduced oxidative stress in the liver."

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3. Pomegranate ginger juice

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As mentioned, you generally want to avoid high-fructose fruits and juices, but berries and pomegranate are considered low-fructose fruits.

In addition, "Pomegranate is rich in polyphenols that support lipid metabolism," shares Salhab.

Ginger not only gives the drink a spicy kick, but it's also been well-proven to reduce inflammation in the body, with research specifically showing it can improve symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

4. Coffee with cacao

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As Best Life previously explained, coffee has been scientifically proven to improve liver health by lowering the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer (which predominantly occurs in those who have chronic liver disease).

Salhab recommends putting some cacao in your morning cup of joe since it "adds flavanols like epicatechin, which have anti-inflammatory and endothelial [blood flow] benefits."

5. Watermelon ginger juice

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We've already discussed the benefits of ginger, but Salhab explains that watermelon is "hydrating and a source of citrulline, which supports nitric oxide production."

Nitric oxide is a gas produced naturally in the body that helps to relax blood vessels. "This allows more blood, oxygen and nutrients to flow through the body to nourish vital organs," explains University Hospitals.

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6. Green tea with honey

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Salhab is a big fan of green tea for gut health, reducing dementia risk, and so much more. Plus, "Green tea catechins (especially EGCG) are associated with reduced liver fat," he notes.

In another recent video, he pointed to a 2013 study in which people with NAFLD saw improved levels of liver fat and inflammation after drinking green tea with "high-density catechins."

As for the honey, this is a natural way to sweeten the tea that also adds polyphenols, a natural compound that gives plant-based foods their color and is also packed with "antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," according to Cleveland Clinic.

7. Black tea with mint ​6.  Peppermint TeaShutterstock

Finally, you can also opt for black tea to promote liver health, as Salhab notes that it contains theaflavins, which have "fat-reducing and glucose-lowering capabilities," as well as anti-inflammatory properties, according to an article published in the journal Molecules.

Salhab says mint adds phenolic compounds, an umbrella term for plant-based molecules that include polyphenols, flavonoids, and more.