Health
Sugary and Diet Drinks Linked to Liver Risks
Health Points
- Both sugary and diet drinks are linked to an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
- Daily consumers of diet beverages had an even higher risk of liver-related death than those who drank sugary drinks.
- Replacing a daily serving of these drinks with water may lower MASLD risk by up to 15 percent.
A new study suggests that both sugar-sweetened beverages and their diet counterparts may raise the risk of MASLD, a serious liver condition.
Drinking either type of drink each day was associated with a higher chance of developing MASLD, with diet sodas also linked to increased risk of liver-related death.
The research followed over 103,000 people for a decade, finding that even one can per day increased risk, and water offered a protective benefit when substituted for these drinks.
Lead study author Lihe Liu explained,
“These findings challenge the common perception that these drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health, especially as MASLD emerges as a global health concern.”
Sugary beverages contribute to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and fat buildup in the liver, all of which raise MASLD risk, according to Dr. Matthew Kappus from Duke University.
Dr. Longgang Zhao from Yale School of Nursing points out that sugar-free drinks may disrupt appetite signals and gut microbiome, which could also promote liver fat accumulation.
Experts caution that while the reasons aren’t entirely clear, both drink types warrant caution for those concerned about liver health.
MASLD remains the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is closely tied to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
For more details on the research findings and health recommendations, check out the full article.
