Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to a higher risk of fatty liver disease, findings

In a UEG Week 2025 study, it was found that the daily intake of sugar-sweetened and low/non-sugar drinks Masld risk increased by 50-60%, with LNSSBs linked to higher liver-related deaths. According to a UEG Week 2025 study, Masld, a condition affecting more than 30% of people worldwide, is linked to both sugar and diet drinks. (Representative Beeld: Shutterstock) (HT_PRINT) An important new study presented at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2025 reveals that both sugar-sweetened drinks (SSBs) and low- or non-sugar-sweetening drinks (LNSSBs) are significantly associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction Steatotototototototototototototototototototototototototototototethotatotototototototototo (MASLD) (MASLD). The research followed at 123,788 UK Biobank participants without existing liver disease, with repeated 24-hour diet questionnaires to assess drinking. The study reviewed the development of MASLD, accumulation of liver nets and liver -related deaths on a median follow -up of 10.3 years. It has been found that an increased risk for both liquor types that consume more than 250 g per day LNSSBs or SSBs, a 60% (HR: 1.599) and 50% (HR: 1.469) is at higher risk to develop MASLD respectively. Under the cohort, 1,178 participants developed Masld, and 108 died of liver -related causes. While SSBs were not linked to liver-related deaths, the LNSSB consumption was associated with higher liver-related deaths. Both liquor types were also linked to increased liver retaining content. MASLD: A growing global concern over MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when fat accumulates in the liver, possibly leading to inflammation and symptoms such as pain, fatigue and loss of appetite. The condition affects more than 30% of people worldwide and is a rapidly increasing cause of liver -related deaths. Lihe Liu, a graduate student at the Department of Gastroenterology, who has the first associated hospital at Soochow University, said: ‘SSBs have long been scrutinized while their’ diet ‘alternatives are seen, the lead author Lihe Liu becomes. Liu added: “Our study shows that LNSSBs are actually linked to a higher risk of MASLD, even on modest intake such as a single can per day. These findings challenge the general perception that these drinks are harmless and emphasize the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health.” Prevention by liquor choices The study highlights the limitation of both SSBs and LNSSBs as part of a broader strategy to prevent liver and metabolic disease. The replacement of these drinks with water significantly reduced MASLD risk – by 12.8% for SSBs and 15.2% for LNSSBs – while switching between the two types of drinks, no risk reduction offered. Liu concluded: “The safest approach is to limit both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks. Water remains the best choice as it removes the metabolic burden and the accumulation of fat occurs in the liver while the body hydrates.”