New Study Links Diet and Sugary Drinks to 60% Higher Risk of Liver Disease

A new study presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week in Berlin suggests that drinking as little as one can of diet soda per day may raise the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by up to 60%. Consuming sugary beverages was also linked to a 50% increase in risk.

Researchers from Soochow University in China analyzed data from nearly 124,000 participants in the UK Biobank who had no prior liver disease. The decade-long study found that both regular and diet soft drinks were associated with higher rates of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“Our study shows that low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages were actually linked to a higher risk of MASLD, even at modest intake levels such as a single can per day,” said lead author Lihe Liu.

The research also found that replacing sugary or diet drinks with water reduced the risk of liver disease by about 13% to 15%. Experts say water remains the healthiest beverage choice, as it supports metabolic function without affecting blood sugar levels.

“The study showed that both regular and diet soft drinks may harm the liver over time, while choosing water or unsweetened drinks could help protect it,” said Dr. Sajid Jalil of Stanford University, who was not involved in the study.

Scientists believe that sugar-sweetened beverages promote fat buildup in the liver, while artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may disrupt gut health and metabolism.

Researchers say the findings challenge the perception that diet drinks are a “safe” alternative and highlight the need to reconsider their role in a healthy diet.

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