A survey of Japanese men who drink alcohol shows that eating more citrus fruits can prevent liver disease and arteriosclerosis. People who eat less than one citrus fruit a day have nearly double the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease compared to those who eat 3 to 4 citrus fruits daily.
Experts believe this is mainly because patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis have reduced antioxidant capacity in their serum. The abundant carotenoids and vitamins in citrus fruits can enhance this antioxidant capacity, which is beneficial for liver protection.