Diet soft drinks have long been considered a safer choice for overweight, diabetic people or those who want to reduce sugar in their diet. However, recent scientific evidence shows that this type of drink is not completely "harmless" to the liver, especially when used regularly and for a long time.
According to synthetic studies, diet soft drinks do not cause direct liver damage such as alcohol, viral hepatitis or toxic drugs to the liver. However, excessive consumption can indirectly contribute to increasing the risk of fatty liver disease due to metabolic disorders (MASLD), a rapidly increasing liver disease globally.
Intestinal microbiome disorders and insulin response
One of the most mentioned mechanisms is the impact of artificial sweeteners on the intestinal microbiota. Substances such as aspartame, sucralose and saccharin, when used in large quantities, can disrupt the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut.
This condition can lead to intestinal leakage, allowing inflammatory substances such as lipopolysaccharides to enter the bloodstream and follow the veins to the liver. Chronic hepatitis at a low but prolonged level is the underlying factor that promotes fat accumulation in the liver and progresses to MASLD.
In addition, some studies show that artificial sweetness can stimulate insulin release even without real sugar. Over time, this increases the risk of insulin resistance, a central factor in the mechanism of fatty liver formation.
Dr. Dennis Sifris, an infectious disease and internal medicine expert in the United States, said: "Gan is very sensitive to small but prolonged changes in metabolism. Antiinsulin resistance, although initiated silently, can gradually promote fat buildup and hepatitis.
Increased appetite, behavioral changes and risk MASLD
Another problem is the indirect impact of diet soft drinks on appetite and total calorie intake. Energy-free sweetness does not fully activate the brain's reward system, causing many people to tend to look for more sugary or energy-rich foods to compensate.
Full signal disorders, combined with mild inflammatory bowel disease and insulin resistance, can lead to overeating and weight gain. This is an indirect but common pathway to obesity and MASLD.
A 10-year study, presented at the European Gastroenterology Conference in 2025, showed that people who drink more than 330 grams of sugary or unsweetened drinks per day have a 60% and 50% increase in the risk of fatty liver disease respectively. However, scientists emphasize that accompanying eating habits, such as consuming more processed foods, are the key factor.
In the opposite direction, compared to sugary soft drinks containing corn syrup with high fructose content, diet soft drinks still help reduce fructose load on the liver. Fructose is directly metabolized by the liver into fat, increasing the risk of liver fat, cirrhosis and liver cancer when used a lot.
According to Allison Herries, a nutritionist who has registered to practice in the United States: "For healthy people, drinking a can of diet soft drinks every day generally has a low risk. But in obese, diabetic or people with liver disease, consumption needs to be carefully considered and discussed with a doctor.
In short, diet soft drinks are not the "direct culprit" of liver disease, but if they become a daily habit, they can silently contribute to metabolic disorders. Gradually reducing the frequency of use, prioritizing filtered water and adjusting the overall diet are still the most sustainable ways to protect the liver.
The information in the article is for reference only, not for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should talk directly with your doctor for accurate and appropriate advice to your health condition.
