Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Daily sugary drinks linked to higher liver disease rates in a study
A US study linked daily sugary drinks with higher rates of liver cancer and chronic liver disease deaths.
It followed 98,786 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 for a median of 20.9 years.
Women who reported at least one sugary drink a day had 18 liver cancer cases per 100,000 person-years, compared with 10.3 among those drinking three or fewer a month.
Deaths from chronic liver disease were also more frequent in the daily-drink group: 17.7 per 100,000 person-years, versus 7.1 in the lower-consumption group.
These results show an association, not proof that sugary drinks caused the diseases.
Sugar in drinks can be turned into fat in the liver, and sustained fat buildup may lead to liver damage.
The study findings add to concerns about sugary drinks, while health guidance recommends keeping free sugars below 10% of daily energy intake.
Reducing excess calories and choosing a balanced diet may help protect liver health; prevention or treatment choices should take each person's health into account.
Daily sugary-drink consumption was associated with higher rates of liver cancer and death from chronic liver disease in a study of postmenopausal women.
Women who reported at least one sugary drink a day had 18 liver cancer cases per 100,000 person-years, compared with 10.3 among those drinking three or fewer a month.
Deaths from chronic liver disease were 17.7 per 100,000 person-years in the daily-consumption group and 7.1 in the group drinking three or fewer a month.
The study followed 98,786 women for a median of 20.9 years and was published in JAMA.
Researchers said sugar in drinks may be converted into fat in the liver, but the findings describe an association.
- Who
- Researchers studying 98,786 postmenopausal women in the United States.
- What
- Daily sugary-drink consumption was associated with higher rates of liver cancer and death from chronic liver disease.
- When
- The study followed participants for a median of 20.9 years. The articles do not state when the study was conducted.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- A possible explanation is that sugar in these drinks can be converted into fat in the liver. The study found an association, not proof of cause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers followed 98,786 postmenopausal women for a median of 20.9 years.
Daily sugary-drink consumption was associated with higher rates of liver cancer and chronic liver disease deaths.
- Study participants
- 98,786 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79
- Median follow-up
- 20.9 years
- Liver cancer rate
- 18 cases per 100,000 person-years for daily consumers; 10.3 for those drinking three or fewer portions monthly
- Chronic liver disease death rate
- 17.7 per 100,000 person-years for daily consumers; 7.1 for those drinking three or fewer portions monthly
- Study journal
- JAMA
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