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Alcohol, sugar, and supplements: Experts reveal worst habits for liver health
🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

Alcohol, sugar, and supplements: Experts reveal worst habits for liver health

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Liver disease and liver cancer are rising globally due to poor diet, lack of exercise, and other medical conditions.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption and high sugar intake, particularly from sugary drinks, are major contributors to liver damage.
  • Experts advise against unproven liver cleanses and supplements, emphasizing that the liver naturally detoxifies the body and that lifestyle changes are key to prevention and reversal.

The liver, a vital organ responsible for filtering blood, regulating sugar levels, storing energy, and aiding digestion, faces increasing threats from lifestyle choices. Poor diet, insufficient exercise, and various medical conditions contribute to a global rise in liver disease and liver cancer.

Your liver is already your body’s detoxification system. It does not need a cleanse.

— Dawn AndersonA clinical dietitian at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dawn Anderson, stated this regarding the efficacy of liver cleanses and supplements.

Experts identify excessive alcohol consumption as a primary culprit. Dr. Zoubair Younossi of Georgetown University explains that regular drinking, especially binge drinking, can lead to steatotic liver disease, characterized by fat accumulation, inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis. Even moderate drinking can worsen liver damage in individuals with pre-existing metabolic issues like Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. While some doctors suggest up to one drink daily for those with mild conditions, avoiding alcohol entirely is the safest recommendation.

High sugar intake, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages and ultraprocessed foods containing high fructose corn syrup, also significantly stresses the liver. Dr. Shira Zelber-Sagi notes a strong link between excessive sugar consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. The recommended daily intake of added sugar is no more than 25g for women and 36g for men, a limit easily surpassed by sugary drinks, which experts advise avoiding entirely.

It creates a very strong habit and we don’t need it.

— Shira Zelber-SagiShira Zelber-Sagi, a clinical dietitian and public health researcher at the University of Haifa, commented on the avoidance of sugar-sweetened drinks.

Furthermore, many popular liver cleanses and supplements, such as milk thistle and mushroom coffee, lack scientific evidence of benefit. Clinical dietitian Dawn Anderson states that the liver is the body's natural detoxification system and does not require artificial cleansing. These unregulated products may even pose risks due to unknown or excessive ingredients. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet remains the most effective strategy for preventing and potentially reversing liver disease.

Fat accumulates in the liver and can lead to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis.

— Dr Zoubair YounossiDr Zoubair Younossi, chair of the Global Center for Liver Outcomes & Policy Research at Georgetown University School of Medicine, explained the progression of steatotic liver disease.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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