Liver Consumption During Pregnancy: Benefits, Risks, and Guidelines

It is essential for pregnant women to maintain a healthy and balanced diet from the very early days of pregnancy; this is especially important during the first trimester, as this is the period when the vital organs of the fetus are forming. Therefore, nutrition should be prioritized alongside following important health guidelines to prevent congenital malformations, which are difficult to treat and may lead to miscarriage or loss of the fetus in many cases.

Despite the widely promoted benefits of consuming animal liver in its various forms, there are specific precautions and restrictions for pregnant women. Accordingly, nadormagazine spoke exclusively with Clinical Nutrition Consultant Dr. Darin Abdel Aal, who answered an important question and gave a key health advice: Why should liver consumption be limited during the first months of pregnancy? She also explained the differences between sources like chicken liver and beef liver as follows:

Does Beef Liver Differ from Chicken Liver in Benefits and Composition?

• Chicken liver, when properly cooked by boiling or healthy grilling, is much easier to digest than beef liver.

• Chicken liver contains a lower level of harmful cholesterol, which can cause cumulative health problems such as arteriosclerosis and fatty liver.

• On the other hand, beef liver contains higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and copper, which is why beef liver is often recommended for treating anemia in pregnant women and children.

• Chicken liver contains higher amounts of vitamin B12 complex and folic acid.

For pregnant women, the main caution is to avoid excessive consumption of liver during the first trimester because:

• Beef liver contains a higher level of vitamin A, which carries health warnings during early pregnancy.

• Nutrition specialists consider chicken liver more suitable for pregnant women as it contains fewer toxins and lower mercury levels, possibly due to the diet of chickens.

• Chicken liver is less likely to contribute to weight gain because it contains fewer calories—about 120 calories per 100 grams—and has a lower fat content compared to beef liver.

• Chicken liver also contains a good amount of zinc, which is important for pregnant women during this critical stage as it helps with wound healing and boosts overall immunity.

General Benefits of Animal Liver for Pregnant Women

• Consuming animal liver (chicken or beef), grilled or boiled, is a healthy choice providing many vitamins and minerals.

• Liver is a source of vitamin K, which is rare in many foods. Vitamin K is essential for bone health as it enhances the absorption and utilization of vitamin D; both work together to maintain healthy bones.

• Adequate intake of vitamin K during pregnancy is linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases later in life, such as osteoporosis, while supporting the mother's bone health during pregnancy and reducing bone pain and circulation problems.

• The healthy protein in animal liver is essential for overall body building and particularly for fetal growth, development of cells, tissues, and especially brain cells.

• Moderate liver consumption helps prevent malnutrition, common in many pregnant women, provided they avoid drinking tea immediately after eating liver (as tea inhibits iron absorption).

• Liver also supplies the energy necessary for the mother’s two circulatory systems (her own and the fetus’s), which are crucial throughout pregnancy.

Risks of Excessive Liver Consumption During Early Pregnancy

• Animal liver is rich in vitamin A. While vitamin A from plant sources (vegetables and fruits) is safe and beneficial—helping repair uterine tissues after birth, maintaining healthy vision, strengthening immunity, and supporting the reproductive system and fetal development—excessive vitamin A from animal sources can be toxic.

• Intake exceeding 4500 micrograms of dietary vitamin A or 3000 micrograms of supplemental vitamin A during the first trimester can lead to poisoning.

• Studies show vitamin A toxicity during early pregnancy may cause congenital malformations, especially damage to the fetal nervous system.

• Therefore, pregnant women should limit liver intake to one serving per week to avoid health risks to the fetus.

• Pregnant women often suffer from high uric acid levels, causing urinary problems like kidney stones and discomfort.

• Excess liver consumption increases uric acid in the body, raising the risk of gout and other health issues during pregnancy.

• Urinary tract infections can be serious during pregnancy, possibly leading to premature birth and infections that affect the baby’s health.