Our body adapts to each weather as it changes, and we make sure we are warm and comfortable enough to survive in all kinds of weather. Even though we make changes externally to keep ourselves warm during cold weather or lay under a fan or AC during hot weather, the functions of the liver and its health are affected by different temperatures.

Effects of temperature on liver

The liver has an optimal temperature for its proper functioning, which is 37 degrees Celsius. If the surrounding temperature drops below this particular point, the efficiency of the liver decreases, and if the temperature rises above, it makes the liver produce heat. This changing weather is unhealthy for your liver, and both extremities can severely affect your liver. The effects include:

Dehydration
Heatstroke
Liver heat
Viral infection
Toxic hepatitis

How does hot weather affect the liver?

Hot weather drains you out and makes you tired. Did you know it has the same impact on your liver, too? Yes, it makes your liver tired from stress and makes it work harder.

Increased metabolism: The heat in the body makes it work hard to maintain its temperature and, in turn, increases the metabolism rate. This increased rate of metabolism strains the liver, damaging its health.

Sweating: Sweating is the body's way of cooling down, but at the same time, it can lead to dehydration, which stresses the liver further.

Reduced blood flow: The increase in the temperature affects blood flow to the liver cells. In high temperatures, there is reduced blood flow to liver cells since blood is supplied to other parts to cool down. It can also cause inflammation and injury to liver cells.

These long-term effects can have serious complications on your liver health by increasing the risk of acute liver failure, liver cancer and chronic liver diseases.

How does cold weather affect the liver?

In cold weather, the liver has the same amount of effects it has during the hot weather. The effects include :

Reduced blood flow: In cold weather, the blood vessels of the liver are constricted, reducing the blood flow to the liver and impairing its functions.
Highly immune to infections: During cold weather, the immune system can be attacked, making you susceptible to infections. So, if the liver becomes infected, it can damage liver health.
Changes in metabolism: The cold weather makes your liver work harder to produce heat, which can stress the liver.

These effects can bring about severe complications to liver health in the long run, like increased risk of liver injury, liver disease and liver cancer.

Humid weather’s effect on liver health ?

It is not just the extremities in the climate that affect your liver, but also the humid kind of weather that impacts the liver functioning. The effects include

Dehydration: Since sweat does not evaporate quickly during humid times, it increases the risk of dehydration and makes the liver functioning difficult.
Heat stroke: When your body is humid, the liver has to work hard, and it releases a lot of heat, leading to heat stroke and leaving damage to the liver cells.
Exposure to toxins: Humid weather also increases the exposure to moulds and other toxins, damaging the liver cells and their health.

These effects can put you at risk of developing various liver diseases.

Ways to protect your liver health

Liver health is crucial to your body's functioning. Since these changing weathers are constant, it is important to prevent your liver from getting affected by these conditions.

Keep yourselves hydrated: It is important to keep yourself hydrated, especially during hot and humid weather, to stay away from dehydration and its impact on the function of the liver.
Consume a healthy diet: For your overall health and especially for liver health, it is essential to eat a healthy diet. So make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which will provide nutrients to the liver.
Regular exercise: It is essential to keep yourself active to keep the liver functioning well and avoid various liver diseases like fatty liver disease. So, exercising for 30 minutes most days of the week is advisable.
Avoid alcohol and smoking: Most liver diseases are caused by alcohol intake and smoking, which damages the liver cells and, in turn, poses a threat to liver health.

As an additional tip,

Stay hydrated, avoid vigorous activities and wear loose clothes during hot weather.
During cold weather, keep yourselves warm and avoid heavy energy activities.
Keep yourselves hydrated and avoid energy-consuming activities during the hottest and humid part of the day.

Liver health is not only affected by the food you eat and your lifestyle, but it is also affected in combination with the weather you are experiencing. So, it is important to adapt to the environment and make changes to your lifestyle and diet, keeping in mind the temperature and its effect on your liver and its health.