Diet & Soda Drinks Linked to Liver Disease Risk
A new study suggests that both diet and sugary beverages could significantly raise the risk of developing a common liver condition known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Even one can of diet soda per day may increase the risk by up to 60%, while consuming a sugary drink could raise it by around 50%.
NAFLD, also referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), occurs when fat builds up in the liver of individuals who consume little or no alcohol. Over time, the condition can progress to cirrhosis—scarring of the liver—or even liver cancer. Researchers estimate that NAFLD cases have increased by 50% in the U.S. in the past three decades, with nearly 38% of the population now affected.
Diet Drinks May Not Be the Healthier Choice
Lead researcher Lihe Liu from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, emphasized that diet drinks—often marketed as healthier alternatives—may not be as safe as people believe. “Our study shows that low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages were actually linked to a higher risk of fatty liver disease, even when consumed in modest amounts, such as one can per day,” Liu explained.
The research, presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week in Berlin, found that people who regularly consumed diet beverages also had a higher likelihood of liver-related deaths. Liu noted that the findings challenge the widespread belief that diet drinks are harmless and highlight the urgent need to rethink their role in daily nutrition.
Understanding the Impact on the Liver
The study tracked nearly 124,000 participants from the UK Biobank, a long-term health study in the United Kingdom. None of the participants had liver disease at the beginning of the research. Over a 10-year period, participants completed dietary questionnaires assessing their beverage consumption habits.
Results showed that substituting water for sugary beverages lowered the risk of NAFLD by about 13%, while replacing diet drinks with water reduced risk by 15%. However, switching between sugary and diet drinks offered no protective benefits.
Dr. Sajid Jalil, a gastroenterology and hepatology specialist at Stanford University School of Medicine, commented that the study offers strong evidence of how beverage habits can affect liver health. “Both regular and diet soft drinks appear to contribute to liver damage over time,” Jalil said. “Choosing water or unsweetened beverages is a much safer choice.”
Why These Drinks Harm the Liver
Sugary drinks are known to spike blood glucose and insulin levels, leading to weight gain and fat accumulation in the liver. While diet drinks contain fewer calories, they may disrupt the gut microbiome, interfere with appetite control, and increase cravings for sweet foods. Some artificial sweeteners may even stimulate insulin release, further affecting liver function.
Liu noted that water remains the best beverage for liver health. It hydrates the body, supports metabolism, and promotes fullness without negative side effects. “Replacing any sweetened beverage with water shows a similar reduction in risk,” she explained. “It reinforces the idea that water should be our default drink of choice.”
As NAFLD becomes an increasingly urgent global health issue, experts hope these findings will encourage more people to limit both sugary and diet beverage consumption—and choose water as the simplest step toward better liver health.
