In a new research study, researchers have found that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks on a daily basis increases the risk of liver cancer and chronic liver disease! Chronic liver disease is a known cause of morbidity and mortality. This is a huge concern among many across the world. However, a new research study done by the Brigham and Brigham Women’s Hospital has found how the intake of sweetened drinks can impact our liver health and mortality.
Research Findings
The researchers have found a link between sugary drink intake and liver cancer and chronic liver disease mortality. The 6.8% of women who took one or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily had an 85% higher risk of liver cancer. Not just that, they also had a 68% higher risk of chronic liver disease mortality. This is compared to the participants who had less than three sugary beverages per month.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association between sugary drink intake and chronic liver disease mortality,” said the First Author, Brigham’s Channing Division of Network Medicine, Longgang Zhao.
Nearly 100,000 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative took part in the research study. Participants took their usual soft drinks, fruit drinks, and artificially sweetened drinks during the course of the study. The intake of sugary drinks was followed up and measured every 3 years.
Researchers observed the reports of liver cancer incidence and death due to chronic liver diseases. Such chronic liver diseases include fibrosis, cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis. The reports were again verified through the National Health Index.
To identify the association between them, the researchers are about to undertake more studies.
Journal reference:
Zhao, L., et al. (2023). Sugar-Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Risk of Liver Cancer and Chronic Liver Disease Mortality. JAMA. doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.12618
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