A recently published study indicates that both sugary sodas and artificially sweetened diet drinks may heighten the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Surprisingly, the research suggests that diet drinks, often perceived as a healthier alternative, could be more detrimental to liver health than their sugary counterparts. This study was presented on Monday at the European Gastroenterology’s annual meeting in Berlin.
Lead researcher Lihe Liu, a graduate student in gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, emphasizes the significance of these findings. “Sugar-sweetened beverages have long been under scrutiny, while their ‘diet’ alternatives are often seen as the healthier choice,” Liu stated in a news release. She added, “These findings challenge the common perception that these drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health.”
Fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver and is now recognized as the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, impacting more than 30% of the population.
The study analyzed data from nearly 124,000 individuals participating in the U.K. Biobank, a long-term health study in the United Kingdom. Participants were asked to report their beverage consumption through a 24-hour diet questionnaire. Throughout a median follow-up period of 10 years, around 1,200 participants developed fatty liver disease, and 108 died from liver-related complications.
The results were striking. Drinking around nine ounces or more of artificially sweetened beverages per day was linked to a 60% increased risk of developing fatty liver disease. Conversely, the daily consumption of sugary beverages was associated with a 50% increase in risk. Liu noted, “Our study shows that low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages were actually linked to a higher risk of fatty liver disease, even at modest intake levels such as a single can per day.”
On a positive note, substituting water for diet or sugary drinks significantly decreased the risk of fatty liver disease. Specifically, replacing artificially sweetened beverages with water lowered the risk by more than 15%, while replacing sugary drinks resulted in an almost 13% reduction in risk.
Liu explained that the high sugar content in sugary drinks leads to swift spikes in blood sugar levels, contributes to weight gain, and increases uric acid levels—factors closely related to excess fat accumulation in the liver. On the other hand, diet drinks may negatively impact liver health by disrupting the gut microbiome, inducing cravings for sugary foods, and stimulating insulin secretion.
“The safest approach is to limit both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks,” Liu advised. “Water remains the best choice as it removes the metabolic burden and prevents fat accumulation in the liver while hydrating the body.”
Looking ahead, researchers plan to investigate the mechanisms behind how these beverages contribute to liver fat accumulation through long-term clinical trials.
It is important to note that findings shared at medical meetings are preliminary and await publication in peer-reviewed journals. For further details on fatty liver disease, Yale New Haven Health provides additional resources on the topic.
