Scientific advances are yielding increasingly interesting studies that directly affect the choices we make every day regarding our diet. In fact, a 10-year study concludes that not only sugary drinks can harm the liver, but also those with added sweeteners by 60%. The research results were presented by Lihe Liu at the 2025 United European Gastroenterology Week conference in Berlin this week.
“These findings challenge the common perception that low- or non-sugar-sweetened drinks are harmless”
It’s a fact: just one can of a sugary or artificially sweetened beverage (of any brand) a day can increase the risk of developing metabolically impaired liver disease (MASLD), according to a new study. “These findings challenge the common perception that low- or non-sugar-sweetened drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health,” Liu said. These are very striking statements, especially in a world where “any” food with the word “diet” in front of it is considered “good.”
It turned out that just under 9 ounces per day of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases the risk of developing MASLD by 50%
Speaking specifically about the data and this scientific research, we learned that the study followed 123,788 participants from the United Kingdom without the disease for a decade. It turned out that just under 9 ounces per day of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases the risk of developing MASLD by 50%, while for low- or no-sugar beverages (LNSSBs), that risk increases to 60%, as explained above. Beverage consumption was recorded through daily dietary questionnaires. Over 10 years, 1,178 participants developed MASLD and 108 died from liver-related pathologies.
As experts always advise, when you need to drink, the best option is always water, “since it eliminates the metabolic load and prevents fat accumulation in the liver”
This is tremendous data, considering that the context and personal situation of each person who participated in the study are relevant. Even so, consuming a sugary drink has turned out to be inadvisable if we want to lead a healthy life. “The safest thing to do is to limit both sugary and artificially sweetened beverages,” Liu states. The findings showed that consuming sugary drinks increased the risk of MASLD by 50%, while consuming sweetened beverages increased it by 60%. And once again, as experts always advise, when you need to drink, the best option is always water, “since it eliminates the metabolic load and prevents fat accumulation in the liver.”
The higher sugar content in soft drinks can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin, promote weight gain above other in addition to other risky health problems
The experts are very clear: for the researchers, the higher sugar content in soft drinks can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin, promote weight gain, and increase uric acid levels, all of which contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, they explain after learning the results. “Our study shows that sweetened soft drinks are actually linked to an increased risk of MASLD, even at modest consumption levels like a single can per day,” explains Liu. Although these types of drinks may seem harmless, the truth is they are not.
It’s advisable to limit consumption of these types of beverages whenever possible
“These findings highlight the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health, especially as MASLD emerges as a global health concern,” Liu notes. Therefore, it’s advisable to limit consumption of these types of beverages whenever possible, maintain a balanced diet, exercise, and drink water, staying hydrated, which is ultimately the greatest need of the human body. And if you have any questions, consult an expert.
