Is eating pork liver poisonous?

Ask:

Many people believe that pork liver contains many toxins and is harmful to health if consumed. Is this opinion correct, doctor?

Nguyen Hoai Anh ( Hanoi )

Illustrative image.

Dr. Le Van Thieu, Department of General Infectious Diseases, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, answers:

The liver is the organ that helps detoxify the body. However, toxins do not accumulate in the liver; instead, as they pass through, the liver retains them, converts them into non-toxic substances, and then transports them out of the liver and out of the body.

Meanwhile, liver is the organ meat with the highest protein content. In addition, it's rich in vitamin A and iron, which are very beneficial for children with anemia and malnutrition. Therefore, eating it is good, not harmful.

Liver also provides iron to combat anemia and iron deficiency, which is very beneficial for children, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age. It also provides plenty of vitamin A, which is good for eyesight, strengthens the immune system, and promotes growth in children.

Conversely, because it contains a lot of cholesterol, it is not suitable for the elderly, people with metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, gout, kidney disease, overweight, or obesity...

However, please note that you should choose liver from a healthy animal. Specifically, the liver should be a fresh, dark red color with no nodules on its surface. After purchasing, slice it thinly, wash it thoroughly with cold water, and then use paper towels to dry off any remaining blood.

Thus, the toxins in the blood are removed from the liver, leaving only nutrient-rich liver cells. However, it should only be consumed in moderation, 2-3 times a week, with adults eating 50-70g each time, and children only 30-50g per meal.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/an-gan-lon-co-doc-khong-192240405111251783.htm