Doctor warns: Even small, regular alcohol amounts can harm liver

Even moderate, regular alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of liver damage, a doctor warned, citing a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Dr. Voldemaras Giedrimas highlighted that alcohol-induced liver disease is a primary cause of liver-related mortality in Europe and the United States, with death rates steadily rising over the past two decades.

Many individuals are unaware of liver damage because symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced. Early changes, such as fat accumulation and the onset of scarring, may not be detected by standard blood tests, as liver enzymes can remain within normal limits. The doctor emphasized that the liver "counts" the total amount of alcohol it must neutralize over time, rather than isolated drinking occasions.

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If the liver doesn't hurt, it means it is healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

The JAMA review indicates that a heightened risk of alcohol-induced liver disease is associated with daily consumption exceeding approximately 20 grams of pure alcohol for women and 30 grams for men. This roughly equates to 500 ml of 5% beer or 200 ml of 12% wine for women, and about 750 ml of beer or 300 ml of wine for men. However, these figures should not be considered safe limits, as the risk escalates gradually with increased intake and duration.

Additional risk factors, such as obesity, abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, can accelerate the progression of liver disease. Dr. Giedrimas stressed the importance of assessing liver damage risk before symptoms emerge, suggesting methods like liver echography and non-invasive fibrosis assessment tools, such as the FIB-4 index, which can identify the risk of advanced fibrosis even in seemingly healthy individuals.

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The liver 'counts' not the occasions, but the total amount of alcohol it has to neutralize day after day, year after year.