Fatty liver disease means increased accumulation of fat in the liver. While there can be many reasons for this, a simple and overlooked risk factor can be your choice of beverages. Sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks, juices, sweet tea, and alcohol can damage your liver and should be avoided or consumed in minimal quantities. In a recent video on Instagram, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford trained doctor, talked about the top 3 beverages that damage your liver and accelerate the process of fatty liver turning into cirrhosis.
“As a liver specialist, I treat patients with fatty liver disease every day. Learn the secrets to avoiding fatty liver and making better beverages,” he wrote in the caption.
Here are 3 drinks you must drink for your liver health:
1. Soda
Many people think that drinking soda instead of alcohol is the ‘healthier’ option, however, regular consumption of these sweetened soft drinks can be harmful to your liver. In the clip, Dr. Sethi explains, “Soda contains added sugar and can increase insulin resistance which can lead to fatty liver.” A 2021 study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that drinking one or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily for five to seven years can lead to fatty liver disease.
Photo Credit: iStock
2. Alcohol
“Alcohol is a risk factor for fatty liver and can speed up the process of fatty liver turning into cirrhosis,” explains Dr Sethi. Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) refers to damage to the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption. According to the National Health Service (NHS) UK, ARLD usually does not show any symptoms until the liver is severely damaged. When this happens, symptoms can include feeling sick, weight loss, loss of appetite, jaundice, swelling in the ankles and abdomen, confusion or drowsiness, vomiting blood, or blood in the stool.
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3. Sports and energy drinks
“Sports and energy drinks also contain high amounts of sugar, which can worsen fatty liver problems,” Dr Sethi said. “Many young people are consuming them these days without knowing the risks involved,” he added. Energy drinks offer no nutritional benefits and consuming too much of them can be harmful to your liver. Doctors recommend choosing coffee instead.
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