MASLD was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. Per USA Today, it’s the most common form of liver disease in the world and can lead to severe liver scarring or even cirrhosis, similar to the effects of heavy alcohol use.
“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,” Lihe Liu, a graduate student in the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, and lead author of the study, said.
New study shows health risks of drinking diet sodas
He added that the higher sugar content in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can “cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin,” which can “promote weight gain and increase uric acid levels,” all of which contribute to liver fat accumulation.
On the other hand, Liu said low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) “may affect liver health by altering the gut microbiome, disrupting the feeling of fullness, driving sweet cravings and even stimulating insulin secretion.”
That there are health risks of drinking sodas isn’t something new. Added sugars, such as cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, can harm your health. The carbon dioxide in your favorite soda can affect your stomach more than you might think.
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