The group of drinks that put the liver at risk

People who drink more than one can of soda per day are at increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD is recognized as one of the most common liver diseases in the world. If left untreated, it can progress to liver damage and, in some people, can cause a life-threatening condition called cirrhosis.

Researchers at Tufts University analyzed the diets of more than 2,600 study participants.

They found that people who drank more than one can of sugary or artificially sweetened beverage per day had a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than those who did not drink.

"Our research shows that sugary drinks may be linked to NAFLD and other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease," said Ma Jiantao, the lead author of the study.

Drinking more than one can of soda per day increases the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Illustrative image: Internet)

Even after accounting for gender, age, body weight, and nutritional factors, researchers still found a link between NAFLD and sugary, carbonated drinks.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term referring to a range of conditions caused by the buildup of fat in liver cells. It is commonly seen in overweight or obese individuals. It is one of the most common forms of liver disease, affecting 25-30% of the UK population.

According to researchers, carbonated drinks are a major source of fructose, a sugar suspected of increasing the risk of NAFLD because our bodies may have difficulty processing it.

"To date, there have been very few observational studies examining the relationship between carbonated beverages and NAFLD. Long-term prospective studies are needed to help determine the potential role of these beverages in the development of NAFLD," Dr. Ma explained.

The researchers added that future studies in this area will also attempt to find a link between diet and how it might influence the development of this disease – particularly when it comes to weight loss.

According to Alobacsi.vn