One case that once drew public attention in China is the story of Xiao Li—a young man who loved eating fruit, especially lychees. Every lychee season, he would buy dozens of kilograms to eat gradually. On one occasion, after eating more than a dozen ripe, sweet lychees in a row, he suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous, then fainted. When he was admitted to the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with severe hypoglycemia, accompanied by abnormal liver enzyme levels caused by excessive consumption of sweet fruits.

Xiao Li’s case is not an isolated one. Many people in Vietnam make a similar mistake, believing that “the more fruit you eat, the better.” In reality, however, some fruits—if consumed frequently or improperly—can force the liver to “work to exhaustion.”

Three Types of Fruit That Can Cause Liver Enlargement and Fibrosis if Eaten Regularly

Spoiled, bruised, or moldy fruit

Many people, out of a desire not to waste food, still eat the unspoiled parts of fruit even when the fruit has moldy or rotten spots. This is a serious mistake. During decomposition, fruit can produce mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and patulin—extremely toxic substances capable of attacking liver cells.

Once inside the body, these toxins force the liver to work harder to filter them out, leading to liver cell damage, metabolic disorders, and toxin accumulation. Over time, the liver may become enlarged, fibrotic, and gradually lose its detoxifying capacity. Notably, aflatoxin has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most potent carcinogens and can lead to primary liver cancer.

Moldy fruit contains fungal toxins that can damage liver cells, causing liver enlargement and hardening.

Highly sweet fruits: lychee, longan, ripe mango

These fruits contain very high levels of natural sugar, especially fructose—a type of sugar that is metabolized exclusively by the liver. When consumed in excess, the liver must work continuously to break down and store surplus energy, leading to increasing fat accumulation in liver cells.

The consequences include fatty liver disease, elevated liver enzymes, and reduced detoxification function. Many people who do not drink alcohol still develop fatty liver disease, primarily due to excessive consumption of sweet fruits. In addition, excess fructose contributes to high blood lipid levels, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, causing the liver to become “fatter” but significantly weaker.

Processed fruit products: bottled juices, jams, candied or sugar-soaked fruits

These industrial fruit products, which seem convenient, often contain high levels of refined sugar, artificial coloring, and flavoring agents. When consumed regularly, the liver must constantly “decode” and process these substances, increasing metabolic pressure and promoting visceral fat accumulation.

Many people believe fruit juice is a healthy choice, but most commercially bottled juices have lost nearly all their fiber while containing sugar levels several times higher than fresh fruit. Long-term consumption causes the liver to gradually enlarge and harden, leading to abnormal liver enzymes and an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Industrial fruit juices and overly sweet fruits overload the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver and impaired liver function.

When Is the Liver “Crying for Help”?

The liver has no pain-sensitive nerves, so damage does not usually cause pain. However, the body still sends out subtle warning signals:

• Persistent fatigue and lethargy, even after adequate rest

• Nausea and loss of appetite, especially after eating sweet or fatty foods

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes, accompanied by itching—a sign of bile stagnation

• Appearance of “spider angiomas” (small, spider-like red spots) on the arms, neck, or chest

If these symptoms appear, it is essential to visit a hospital as soon as possible for liver function tests, liver enzyme tests, and ultrasound imaging to enable early detection and timely treatment.

How to Eat Fruit to “Nourish” the Liver Instead of Harming It

The liver is the only organ capable of regeneration—but only if it is not overworked. To ensure fruit truly acts as a health booster, middle-aged and older adults should follow these principles:

• Choose fresh, clean fruit and strictly avoid fruit that shows signs of rot, mold, or bruising.

• Eat in moderation—about 200–300 grams per day—spread throughout the day instead of consuming a large amount at once.

• Limit bottled juices, jams, syrups, and sugar-soaked fruits. Instead, prepare fresh juice at home without added sugar to preserve fiber and natural enzymes.

• Maintain variety: in addition to sweet fruits, include low-sugar options such as pomelo, guava, green apples, oranges, or kiwi to support digestion and benefit both liver and cardiovascular health.

Eat Right – Healthy Liver – Light and Energetic Body

A single sweet lychee or a bottle of packaged fruit juice may seem harmless, but when repeated daily, the liver must bear an enormous load of sugar and toxins. A weakened liver not only leads to dull skin and chronic fatigue but also paves the way for a host of serious diseases.

Remember, fruit is only truly a “golden food” when eaten correctly. Do not let seemingly harmless habits silently turn your liver into a “toxic dumping ground”—enlarged, hardened, and weakened day by day.