High Liver Disease Risk from Sugary & Diet Drinks

Debunking the Safety of Artificially Sweetened Beverages

Forget everything you thought you knew about artificially sweetened drinks being a safe alternative to sugar-filled sodas and fruit juices. A new study has found that both diet and regular beverages increase the risk of developing MASLD (formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Interestingly, diet versions demonstrated a higher link to liver-related deaths.

Study Findings: How A Daily Can of Diet Soda Heightens Liver-Related Death Risk

The research, which studied over 103,000 participants from the UK Biobank, found that 949 people developed MASLD and 103 died from liver-related causes over a 10-year period. Further analysis of the data found that:

• Consuming over 12 ounces of a sugar-sweetened drink (equivalent to one can of soda) increased a person’s risk of developing MASLD by 50%.
• The consumption of low-sugar or diet drinks pushed the risk even higher, with over 12 ounces a day associated with a 60% increased risk of developing MASLD.
• Diet drinks were linked to a higher risk of liver-related deaths, a connection not found with sugary drinks.
• MRI scans confirmed that both types of beverages were associated with greater fat content in the liver.

Replacing Beverages with Water Decreases MASLD Risk

The researchers estimated that swapping either type of beverage for water could reduce the risk of MASLD by about 13 to 15 percent. Contrary to popular belief, choosing a diet drink over a sugary one had no health benefits.

Experts Warn Against Misconceptions Around ‘Diet’ Drinks

Lead researcher, Lihe Liu, from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, warns people to reconsider their consumption of diet drinks. Liu’s research suggests that even drinking one can a day of low- or sugar-free sweetened drinks can increase the risk of liver disease. These findings challenge the popular belief that these drinks are harmless and call for a reevaluation of their role in dietary and liver health.

The Risks of Sugary Drinks: Liver Disease, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes

Matthew Kappus, MD, a gastroenterologist at Duke University School of Medicine explains that sugary drinks can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin,, leading to weight gain and increased fat deposition in the liver — all key factors contributing to MASLD risk. Additionally, high sugar consumption has also been linked to obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Understanding the Risk Associated with Sugar-Free Diet Drinks

While non-sugar-sweetened beverages might not directly contribute to fat buildup in the liver, there are concerns that they may impact our appetite and contribute via other pathways. Diet drinks may affect the gut microbiome, disrupt the body’s natural hunger and fullness signals, and maintain cravings for sweet foods — all factors that could contribute to problems like metabolic issues and a buildup of fat in the liver.

The Prevalence of MASLD in Adults

MASLD, previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It’s linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Because the disease often develops without symptoms, many people don’t know they have it until it progresses to a more serious state.

The Importance of Drinking More Water

Both sugary and diet drinks should be limited. As Dr. Kappus advises, “No one needs soda. No one needs a sports drink outside of someone expending significant sweat through exertion. Limit yourself to water, coffee, and tea, and hold the sugar and artificial sweeteners.” By avoiding both sugary and diet drinks, you can significantly reduce the risk of future health problems.