Sugar‑sweetened beverages boost liver fat and raise fatty liver disease risk

Research published in the Journal of Hepatology found that adding sugary drinks and fructose to the diet of 94 healthy young men doubled the formation of liver fat, even when total calorie intake stayed the same. The study highlights that added sugars, especially fructose from soda and corn syrup, are processed directly by the liver and can quickly turn into fat.

Large‑scale analyses of over 35,000 people confirm that regular consumption of sugar‑sweetened drinks increases the risk of metabolic‑dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease. Experts recommend limiting added sugars to less than 6 % of daily calories (about 100 kcal for women, 150 kcal for men) and replacing sugary drinks with water or unsweetened carbonated water. A Mediterranean‑style diet rich in vegetables, fruit, fish, legumes and olive oil, while reducing red and processed meat, refined carbs and ultra‑processed foods, further protects liver health.