Fatty liver is a common condition today, when fat accumulates in the liver without being related to alcohol use and can lead to serious health problems if not controlled. Studies have shown a close link between excess sugar and the development of fatty liver disease.
Fructose - a simple sugar found in many processed foods and sugary drinks, is a major factor in the development of fatty liver.
Fructose is mainly metabolized in the liver, so when consumed in excess, the liver will convert fructose into fat, leading to fat accumulation in the liver. This can cause fatty liver, the initial condition may not have obvious symptoms but can progress to other serious liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis if not intervened promptly.
The World Health Organization recommends that consuming too much sugar, especially refined sugar and sugary drinks, is a contributing factor to overweight, obesity, and metabolic diseases, including fatty liver. WHO recommends that daily sugar intake should not exceed 10% of total energy intake, which is about 50 grams of sugar, to reduce the risk of liver disease.
Research also shows that high sugar in the diet significantly increases the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. When the body consumes too much sugar, the liver has to work overtime to process it, leading to the formation of fat in the liver. This increases the risk of developing complications such as hepatitis and cirrhosis conditions that can seriously threaten liver health if not controlled.
The link between consuming foods high in sugar and the risk of developing fatty liver has been confirmed and proven by scientific studies. Reducing sugar intake in the diet is an important measure to protect liver health and prevent liver-related diseases.
