Drinking a can of diet soda every day increases the risk of fatal liver disease by 60 percent

It's common knowledge that drinking soda is bad for your health. But did you know that just one can of soda a day—whether diet or not—raises a whopping 60 percent higher risk of developing the fatal liver disease MASLD? This is according to a large-scale Chinese study.

The study analyzed the dietary patterns of more than 123,000 British adults. Participants were asked to complete a dietary questionnaire every 24 hours, recording their beverage consumption. During a 10-year follow-up, the researchers found that 1,178 participants developed MASLD. Of these, 108 died from liver-related conditions.

Participants who drank sugary drinks had a 50 percent higher risk of developing MASLD. Interestingly, participants who drank low- or no-sugar drinks—such as Diet Coke or Sprite Zero Sugar—had a 60 percent increased risk of MASLD. Just 8 ounces (250 ml) of soda per day, which is less than one can, would significantly increase the risk of MASLD.

The Chinese researchers also found that replacing sugary or low/no sugar beverages with water significantly reduced the risk of developing MASLD by 12.8 percent and 15.2 percent, respectively.

The researchers believe this is because sugary drinks have a major impact on blood glucose levels, while low- or no-sugar drinks can alter the gut microbiome. "The higher sugar content in sugary drinks can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin, promote weight gain, and increase uric acid levels, all of which contribute to the accumulation of liver fat," says researcher Lihe Liu.

“Low- or no-sugar beverages, on the other hand, can affect liver health by altering the gut microbiome, disrupting feelings of fullness, increasing cravings for sweets, and even stimulating insulin secretion.”

According to Liu, the study's findings cast a completely different light on diet and sugar-free soft drinks. "Sugary beverages have long been considered unhealthy, while diet alternatives are often touted as healthier choices. However, our study shows that low- or no-sugar beverages are also associated with a higher risk of MASLD, even at a modest intake of one can per day."

That diet research isn't nearly as healthy as we think was already evident in this article . An expert stated at the time that even one can of diet soda a day is too much.