Diet and Sugary Drinks Linked to Higher Liver Disease Risk
A new study has revealed that both diet and sugary drinks may significantly increase the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), challenging the long-held belief that diet sodas are a safer choice.
According to researchers, drinking just one can of diet soda a day could raise the risk of NAFLD by 60%, while a sugary drink may increase it by 50%. The findings were presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week conference in Berlin and are based on an analysis of nearly 124,000 participants in the UK Biobank.
Diet and Sugary Drinks Pose Similar Risks
NAFLD, now also referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), occurs when fat accumulates in the liver of individuals who consume little or no alcohol. The condition can lead to liver scarring, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Currently, around 38% of Americans are estimated to have NAFLD — a number that has surged by 50% over the past three decades.
Lead author Lihe Liu, from Soochow University in China, said the results suggest that low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) — often marketed as healthy alternatives — may not be harmless. “Even modest intake levels, such as a single can per day, were linked to a higher risk of MASLD,” Liu explained.
The study also found that those who regularly consumed diet beverages faced a higher likelihood of dying from liver-related illnesses, adding to the growing concern over artificial sweeteners and their long-term impact on metabolic health.
Water Helps Reduce Risk
Participants who replaced sugary drinks with water saw their risk of liver disease drop by nearly 13%, while replacing diet sodas with water lowered it by about 15%. However, switching from sugary to diet beverages did not reduce risk, suggesting that both drink types can harm liver health in different ways.
Experts believe the mechanisms behind the damage vary. Sugary drinks cause blood sugar spikes, leading to fat buildup in the liver. Meanwhile, artificial sweeteners in diet sodas can alter the gut microbiome, trigger insulin release, and increase cravings for sweet foods — all of which can strain liver function.
Dr. Sajid Jalil, a gastroenterology professor at Stanford University, praised the study’s scope and design, noting its “large number of subjects, validated diagnostic methods, and long-term follow-up.” He emphasized that both regular and diet soft drinks may contribute to liver damage over time, while water and unsweetened beverages remain the best choices for maintaining liver health.
“These findings challenge the perception that diet drinks are harmless,” Liu concluded. “As liver disease becomes a growing global concern, it’s time to rethink what we drink.”
