Alcohol isn’t the only drink that could be endangering your liver. Some beverages could be leading you down the path of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that leaves you at greater risk of a variety of unpleasant health results.
In fact, new research suggests that consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages may play a key role in increasing the risk of fatty liver disease in the near future when combined with a high-fat diet.
In a study recently published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food ResearchResearchers at the University of Barcelona looked at what happened when female rats were given a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with water sweetened with fructose.
They found that while a high-fat diet alone would not cause fatty liver disease, the addition of the fructose-sweetened drink left the rats vulnerable to the condition. Still, it’s worth approaching these findings with a degree of caution.
“The study… doesn’t give me enough information to be able to say definitively as a dietitian that high fructose corn syrup is the cause of fatty liver disease in humans,” Katherine Metzelaar, MSN, RDN, CD, founder and executive director of Bravespace Nutritionit says Eat this, not that!.
He noted that the rats in the study ate more high-fructose corn syrup than humans on any given day and that the study period was only three months, so we don’t know what the long-term effects would be. In general, he advises against blaming high-fructose corn syrup, which you wouldn’t put on other types of sweeteners.
“Your body will break down sweeteners into glucose no matter what type of sweetener you use,” says Metzelaar. “Any time we blame a food for something related to health, we have to remember that we are missing a lot.”
Still, while drinking some soda from time to time is not going to be a big problem for your health, drinking too many soft drinks on a regular basis could take a toll on you. Studies have linked these beverages to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, an increased risk of stroke, and even faster aging.
“Water is always a great beverage alternative,” suggests Pat Baird, MA, RDN, FAN, author, speaker, and college professor at UConn Stamford and Norwalk Community College. “The berries, lemon and orange pieces can enhance the flavor of tap water.”
If you’re looking for something closer to the soft drink experience, there’s also a range of flavored sparkling waters you can try a sugar-free option that is more fizzy than plain water.
For more information on how to take care of your liver, be sure to check out these Signs you have liver damage, experts say.
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