Soda Contributes to Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, is a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol. It is increasingly common and is considered a major public health concern. Some studies have suggested that drinking soft drinks may raise the risk, but findings have not always been consistent.

To better understand this link, researchers studied 1,759 adults participating in the Health Workers Cohort Study in Mexico. Participants reported how often they drank soft drinks using a detailed food questionnaire. The researchers grouped intake into three categories: less than one serving per week, one to fewer than 3.5 servings per week, and 3.5 or more servings per week. They estimated fatty liver risk using a standard index based on body mass index, sex, and certain liver enzymes in the blood.

After accounting for factors such as age, lifestyle habits, and overall diet, people who drank soft drinks 1-3.5 times per week had a 26 percent higher risk of NAFLD compared to those who drank less than one per week. Those drinking 3.5 or more per week had a 42 percent higher risk. The link appeared stronger in men.