Both sugary and low-calorie drinks have been linked to a higher risk of liver disease. Replacing them with water reduced this risk.
According to , a large-scale study found that both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and low-sugar or no-sugar beverages (LNSSBs) are associated with a increased risk of developing steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD).
Presented at UEG Week 2025, the study analyzed data from 123.788 participantes do UK BioBank who did not have pre-existing liver disease.
Participants reported their beverage intake through several 24-hour dietary questionnaires, allowing researchers to investigate how consumption of SSBs and LNSSBs related to the likelihood of developing MASLD, fat accumulation in the liver, and liver-related deaths.
The results showed that individuals who consumed more than 250 grams of either drink per day ran a higher risk of developing NAFLD60% for LNSSB and 50% for SSB.
During an average follow-up period of 10.3 years, 1178 participants were diagnosed with DAMS and 108 died from liver-related causes.
Although SSBs were not significantly linked to liver-related mortality, LNSSB consumption showed a notable association. Both types of drinks were also correlated with higher levels of fat in the liver.
Steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. Over time, this situation can cause inflammation (hepatitis) and symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
This disease has become an important public health problem and is currently recognized as the most common chronic liver disease. Experts estimate that more than 30% of public health and is currently recognized as the most common chronic liver disease.
Experts estimate that more than 30% of the world’s population is affected and the disease is rapidly emerging as the leading cause of liver-related death.
Lihe Liulead author of the study, commented that “Non-alcoholic beverages have long been the subject of scrutiny, while their ‘dietary’ alternatives are often seen as the healthier choice. However, both are widely consumed and their health effects on the liver are not well understood.”
“Our study shows that LNSSBs were actually linked to an increased risk of MASLD, even at modest levels of intake, such as a single can per day. These findings challenge the common perception that these drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider its role in the diet and liver health, especially as MASLD emerges as a global health concern.
Liu noted the potential biological mechanisms that may underlie the observed risks: “the higher sugar content in SSBs may cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulinpromote weight gain and increase uric acid levels, which contributes to the accumulation of fat in the liver. LNSBB, on the other hand, can affect liver health, altering the gut microbiomedisturbing the feeling of satiety, causing cravings for sweets and even stimulating insulin secretion.”
The authors stressed that these results support limiting alcohol-containing still drinks and alcohol-containing still drinks as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy, targeting not only liver disease but also liver disease. cardio-renal-metabolic health.
Replacing any of the drinks with water significantly reduced the risk of MASLD — by 12.8% for SSBs and 15.2% for LNSSBs — while switching between the two types of drinks did not offer any risk reduction.
Liu added that “the safest approach is limit sugar-sweetened beverages and artificially sweetened beverages. Water remains the best choice, as it eliminates the metabolic burden and prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver, while hydrating the body.”
The researchers now aim to further explore causal mechanisms through long-term, randomized genetic trials focusing on how sugar and sugar substitutes interact with the gut microbiome and influence liver disease.
Teresa Oliveira Campos, ZAP //
