Is just one glass of sugary drink a day silently destroying your liver?

Regularly drinking sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of fat accumulation in the liver. In particular, the fructose in these drinks is the most harmful to the liver.

What will happen if you drink one soft drink or sweet juice a day? This thought is now becoming a big danger for many. Recent research and the experience of doctors say that just one sugary drink a day can cause serious liver damage in the long term. A study published in the world-renowned medical journal World Journal of Gastroenterology says that regularly drinking sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of fat accumulation in the liver. In particular, the fructose in these drinks is the most harmful to the liver.

While glucose is used in various parts of the body, most of the fructose is processed in the liver. If you consume excess fructose, the liver quickly converts that sugar into fat and it starts accumulating in liver cells. Over time, this creates fatty liver disease. A liver transplant surgeon working in Bengaluru said that he sees patients every day whose liver damage is not due to alcohol, but to years of poor eating habits. In particular, the habit of drinking sugary drinks every day is very common, but very dangerous.

A global report published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2025 said that one in three adults is currently suffering from some form of fatty liver disease. The study says—

Drinking at least one glass of sugary drink every day greatly increases the risk of fatty liver

If this habit continues for years, the risk becomes even more dangerous

At one point, it can develop into steatohepatitis, where inflammation and scarring develop in the liver

If the inflammation is prolonged, fibrosis develops, which can later turn into cirrhosis

Experts say that prevention is better than cure. Minor changes in diet

According to doctors, cirrhosis is a permanent and life-threatening condition that can lead to liver failure, internal bleeding, and serious infections. The shocking fact is that a large portion of liver transplants around the world are currently being performed due to fatty liver disease, where previously the main cause was alcohol or hepatitis. Experts say that prevention is better than cure. In many cases, the need for a liver transplant can be avoided by making minor changes in diet.

Sugary drinks are absorbed quickly in the body and do not give the feeling of fullness like solid food. As a result, we unknowingly consume excess sugar. A can of soft drink contains 8-10 teaspoons of sugar. This easily exceeds the daily limit of the American Heart Association. The most dangerous thing is that liver disease progresses slowly and there are no symptoms in the beginning. When symptoms appear, the damage becomes much deeper.

To keep the liver healthy: Doctors recommend following several rules to keep your liver healthy. They say:

Reduce or eliminate sugary drinks
Choose water, lemon water (without sugar), unsweetened tea
Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet
A 20-year study by Harvard Health found that those who drink sugary drinks every day have a much higher risk of death from liver disease, even after taking into account weight or other illnesses. Cut out excess sugar to stay healthy. If you have a habit of drinking soft drinks or juices every day, change it.

Source: Hindustan Times