Fatty liver can result not only from obesity, alcohol, and oily foods, but also from consuming too much sugar. High-sugar foods like sweets, soft drinks, and packaged juices cause fat to accumulate in the liver. Research suggests that sugar can damage the liver as much as alcohol. A balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for prevention.
Fatty Liver and Sugar Effects: Fatty liver is a rapidly growing health problem today, in which more than 5–10% fat accumulates in the liver cells. According to experts, along with obesity, alcohol, and oily foods, eating too much sugar is also a major cause. Fructose present in sweets, cakes, soft drinks, and packaged juices directly affects the liver and can gradually develop into fatty liver disease. If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even failure. To prevent this, it is essential to avoid sugary and processed foods, maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and control weight.
What is Fatty Liver?
Fatty liver is a condition in which excessive fat accumulates in the liver cells. While a small amount of fat is considered normal, it is called fatty liver disease when it exceeds 5 to 10 percent. Major causes include obesity, alcohol consumption, oily foods, diabetes, and lack of physical activity. This disease progresses gradually, and its symptoms are not clearly visible in the early stages.
Early Symptoms Are Difficult to Understand
The biggest challenge with fatty liver is that its symptoms are very mild at the beginning. A person may experience fatigue, weakness, or a slight pain or heaviness in the right side of the abdomen. However, most people ignore these signs. As the amount of fat on the liver increases, the liver cells start to get affected, and the risk of inflammation, i.e., hepatitis, arises. If not addressed for a long time, it can also cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure.
Why is Fatty Liver Increasing?
In today's fast-paced life, poor eating habits and lifestyle are major causes of fatty liver. People have started consuming more processed foods and sugary drinks that are quickly made. Along with this, lack of physical activity and prolonged sitting habits further exacerbate this disease. Especially in urban lifestyles, cases of fatty liver are increasing rapidly due to these reasons.
The Effect of Eating Sugar on the Liver
People often think that sugar only increases weight or poses a risk of diabetes. However, research shows that eating too much sugar also has a major impact on the liver. Fructose and sugar present in things like sweets, cakes, soft drinks, chocolate, and packaged juices directly reach the liver and start accumulating fat in it. Gradually, this fat makes the liver sick, creating a condition of fatty liver disease.
The Impact of Changing Habits
The consumption of sugary foods and soft drinks has increased significantly among children and young people. High fructose corn syrup present in packaged juices and carbonated drinks is considered most harmful to the liver. Consuming them continuously causes fat to increase rapidly in the liver, and the problem of fatty liver starts appearing at a young age.
