January 1, Study Reveals Diet Sodas May Harm Liver Too

Wyatt’s Take

• Big new study links both sugary and diet sodas to liver problems.
• Diet drinks might actually be riskier than regular soda for your liver.
• Switching to water is the safest move, cutting risk by up to 15%.

Trading regular soda for diet versions isn’t a safer choice, according to research out of the UK. Both sugary and diet sodas were found to raise the danger of liver disease in people who drank them often.

The study tracked more than 120,000 adults for ten years, making sure nobody had liver troubles starting out. Over the decade, folks drinking many sugary sodas faced about a 50% greater chance of a serious condition called fatty liver disease.

Lead author Lihe Liu said

“SSBs have long been under scrutiny, while their diet alternatives are often seen as the healthier choice.”

Those sticking with diet or zero-sugar drinks weren’t off the hook. Their risk of liver disease was around 60% higher.

“Our study shows that LNSSBs were actually linked to a higher risk of MASLD, even at modest intake levels such as a single can per day,”

Liu said.

Some experts think diet sodas mess with gut bacteria and confuse hunger signals, possibly leading to other health issues. Swapping any soda with water led to less liver risk—by up to 15%—but simply trading sugar soda for diet soda did not help.

“Water remains the best choice, as it removes the metabolic burden and prevents fat accumulation in the liver, whilst hydrating the body,”

The researcher noted.

Liver disease is hitting more Americans every year, now affecting millions. The study only finds a link; it doesn’t prove soda causes the problem.

There are questions about the self-reported soda habits and limits since the full research isn’t published yet.

Carla Saunders of the Calorie Control Council said

“The public should demand science-based findings, especially those intended to inform their food and beverage choices.”

For folks watching what they drink, sticking to water is still the best bet.

Read more at Fox News

Wyatt Matters

These findings remind us to think about what goes in our bodies. Simple choices like choosing water over soda can help families stay healthier, protect their livelihoods, and keep heartland homes strong.