Drinking Two Fizzy Beverages A Day Could Increase Liver Disease Risk, Scientists Warn | HuffPost Life

Two Fizzy Drinks A Day Could Increase Your Risk Of Liver Disease

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

People who have more than one fizzy drink a day could be destined for health problems, according to a new study.

A survey of middle-aged men and women found that those who drunk more than one fizzy beverage a day had an increased chance of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD is recognised as one of the most common forms of liver disease in the world, according to the British Liver Trust.

If left untreated, it can progress to advanced liver damage and, in some people, can cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as cirrhosis.

Tufts University researchers analysed dietary questionnaires from more than 2,600 study participants. They found that those who drank more than one sugar-sweetened beverage each day had a higher prevalence of NAFLD.

"Our study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that sugar-sweetened beverages may be linked to NAFLD and other chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease," said lead author, Jiantao Ma.

Scientists found that even after accounting for gender, age, body mass and dietary factors, the link between NAFLD and sugary drinks remained.

According to the NHS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a term for a wide range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat within the liver cells. It is usually seen in people who are overweight or obese.

It is one of the most common forms of liver disease, with an estimated 25-30% of people in the UK developing an early form of it.

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According to researchers, fizzy drinks are a major dietary source of fructose, a type of sugar which is suspected of increasing the risk of NAFLD because of how our bodies process it.

"Few observational studies, to date, have examined the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and NAFLD," explained Ma.

"Long-term prospective studies are needed to help ascertain the potential role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the development of NAFLD."

The researchers added that future studies in this area should try to find out whether switching to diet drinks could impact the development of the disease - particularly as this could also be associated with weight loss.

Fellow author, Nicola McKeown, added: "Although there is much more research to be done, sugar-sweetened beverages are a source of empty calories, and people need to be mindful of how much they are drinking, perhaps by reserving this habit for special occasions."

The study was published in the Journal of Hepatology.

Risk Factors For Liver Disease

Obesity (01 of20)

Obesity often leads to fat build-up in our liver, which can cause inflammation — otherwise known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. Sometimes, NAFLD can progress into a more severe stage and cause additional ongoing liver damage called cirrhosis. If cirrhosis develops, the liver will slowly stop functioning. (credit:Rostislav_Sedlacek via Getty Images)

Genetics(02 of20)

Genetics can play a significant role in your likelihood to develop liver disease. "The genes we inherit from our parents dictate physical characteristics like hair and eye colour but they also determine our susceptibility to certain forms of liver disease," notes experts at the Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF). Several forms of liver disease — including Wilson disease, which leads to a toxic build up of copper, and hemochromatosis, which causes the body to store up excess iron — are the result of inherited gene abnormalities. On top of that, tyrosinemia, Alagille syndrome and galactosemia are examples of inherited liver diseases that can be life-threatening for infants and very young children. (credit:JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

Your Immune System (03 of20)

There are certain liver diseases that are the result of the immune system attacking the liver, the foundation adds. "Auto-immune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis are all linked to the immune system." However, researchers do not yet know what causes the immune system to turn on the liver, or why some people are more susceptible to these diseases than others. Some believe that the trigger could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, CLF notes. (credit:Michael Abbey via Getty Images)

Certain Medications (04 of20)

As the organ is tasked with processing all medications that go into your body, the liver can also get injured due to toxic combinations of medications or an overdose. Acetaminophen (a pain reliever) overdose, for example, is the leading cause of acute liver failure in Canada. (credit:Davizro via Getty Images)

Your Tattoo? (05 of20)

This may be rare, but definitely not unheard of: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses can be spread via contaminated inks or improperly sterilized tattoo or piercing equipment. Licensed studios, however, should be following strict precautions to make sure their clients are protected. (credit:Nick Dolding via Getty Images)

Unprotected Sex(06 of20)

The viruses that cause hepatitis B and C can be transmitted during sex. "The hepatitis B virus is more infectious than HIV and can be spread via infected blood or body fluids. The hepatitis C virus is spread via contact with infected blood," the CLF says. (credit:PBNJ Productions via Getty Images)

Travel (07 of20)

Hepatitis A can also spread through contaminated food or water, while hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood or body fluids. "Both viruses can be contracted in Canada or while travelling to countries where these diseases are endemic. There have been a number of public health warnings in Canada related to food handlers in restaurants and grocery stores with hepatitis A, the CFL notes. To keep yourself protected, make sure you get immunized before travelling. (credit:David Lees via Getty Images)

Smoking(08 of20)

Besides alcohol, smoking can also cause serious liver damage and the development of liver cancer. One study notes smoking can dramatically increase your risk of getting liver cancer, and one study concluded almost half the cases of liver cancer in their research were associated with smoking, according to the American Cancer Foundation. (credit:Hanson Ng / Design Pics via Getty Images)

Some Herbal Remedies (09 of20)

Certain herbal supplements (see partial list below) as well as certain vitamins in high doses have the potential to cause damage to the liver, the CLF says. For example, high doses of vitamins E, K, A and D may be harmful.The foundation has listed some potential harmful supplements: Artemisia, Comfrey, Hare’s ear, Ma huang, Skullcap, Atractylis gummifera, Crotalaria, Heliotropium, Mistletoe and others. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. (credit:Elena Elisseeva via Getty Images)

NEXT: The best foods for your liver(10 of20)

Garlic (11 of20)

Garlic helps your liver activate enzymes that can flush out toxins. It also has a high amount of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing, says holistic nutritionist Hermeet Suri. (credit:ShutterStock)

Grapefruit (12 of20)

Eating or drinking grapefruit juice can help your liver flush out carcinogens and toxins. This fruit is also high in both vitamin C and antioxidant properties. (credit:ShutterStock)

Beets (13 of20)

Beets are high in plant-flavonoids, which can improve the overall functions of your liver. (credit:ShutterStock)

Leafy Greens (14 of20)

Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce have the ability to neutralize metals, chemicals and pesticides that may be in our foods, and act as a protective mechanism for the liver, Suri says. (credit:ShutterStock)

Green Tea (15 of20)

Green tea is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, which have been known to improve the functions of our liver. (credit:ShutterStock)

Avocados(16 of20)

Adding more avocados to your diet can help your body produce a type of antioxidant called glutathione, which is needed for our livers to filter out harmful materials, Suri says. (credit:ShutterStock)

Cruciferous Vegetables (17 of20)

Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts also increase the amount of glucosinolate (organic compounds) in our bodies that help create enzyme production for digestion, Suri says. (credit:ShutterStock)

Lemons(18 of20)

We all know citrus fruits like lemons are full of vitamin C, but lemons also help our bodies cleanse out toxic materials and aid the digestion process. (credit:ShutterStock)

Turmeric (19 of20)

Used as a spice, tumeric has been known to help our bodies digest fats and stimulate the production of bile. It can also act as a natural form of detox for your liver. (credit:ShutterStock)

Walnuts (20 of20)

Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which help support our livers through their cleansing process. (credit:ShutterStock)

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