Padma Bhushan Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, leading hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and medical educator who also serves as the Senior Professor, Chancellor, and Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), recently spoke about the dos and don’ts to maintain a healthy liver at the Times Health Summit 2026. Should You Drink Hot Water In The Morning For Bowel Movement?The doctor addressed the daily morning ritual of drinking hot water in the morning, which a lot of people follow to release bowels. Dr Sarin said, “Don't use hot water or anything for that matter to make you go to the toilet because it is the connection between the brain and the bowel that is very important. He also spoke about opting for other drinks like coconut water or lemon water with honey. He said that lemon can help improve iron absorption in your body. He added, “As per coconut water is concerned, it has potassium which is very good for your bowel health but it should still not be an everyday thing. For nimbu and honey, you should remember that honey has fructose. So if you are consuming honey, you also need to churn that out."Also read: Fatty Liver Disease: Scientists Identify 5 Subtypes With Different Health RisksIdeal Time for Breakfast Many of us do not know what is the right time for breakfast. It is especially important as eating after fasting for eight to ten hours affects your energy and metabolic health throughout the day. Dr Sarin said, "It's after sunrise. Minimum 12 hours after the last food that you have eaten. Ussay pehle galti nahi kariyega khaanay ki. Let the stomach, and the bacteria and the intestine recover."He also spoke about whether you should have fruits for breakfast. "Breakfast should be fruits. And, low calories fruits. Avoid carbs."Also read: The Changing Obesity Treatment Landscape: Where Does Bariatric Surgery Fit in the Age of Weight-Loss Drugs?How Coffee Affects The LiverThere is a lot of information as well as misinformation about coffee consumption and liver health. Dr S K Sarin spoke in its favour and said that it could prevent a lot of liver conditions. He said, "It does many things. it clears several toxic things including fat, clears the flow of bile, good enzyme inducer, prevents fibrosis of the liver and can decrease cirrhosis and also the development of liver cancer."He also warned ignoring healthy dietary habits and simply relying on coffee is also not ideal. He added, "Coffee is not medicine, it is something which can help you prevent and not treat."Is Your Lunch Completely Healthy? Dr Sarin also warned against eating more amount carbohydrates than the recommended limit. He explained how sitting next to an obese person can make you feel physically lethargic as their breath may emit endogenous alcohol. When you eat a carbohydrate-heavy meal, your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into sugars. Certain microorganisms in the gut, including yeasts and some bacteria, can ferment these sugars and produce small amounts of ethanol, or alcohol. This is known as endogenous alcohol production. Dr Sarin recommends eating low-carb meals for lunch like sprouts, vegetables, yoghurt, buttermilk or low-sugar fruits. Late-Night Eating Is A Red Flag Dr Sarin recommends having dinner before sunset. He also said that having late-night dinners could disrupt your sleep. He added, "Obesity during youth increases the risk of heart disease later in life. After the age of 40, eating one meal a day may have health implications. The total daily calorie intake should not exceed 300–400. Avoid eating late at night. Eating late can also affect your insulin resistance." Yearly Screening To Keep Liver Health In Check Dr Sarin also said that thin people can also have unhealthy fat that may cause fatty liver. He recommended yearly screens to keep liver health in check. He said, "Even thin people can have excess body fat and low muscle mass, which may affect their health. Being thin does not necessarily mean being healthy. Maintaining good muscle mass is important."