Major study on diet drinks raises questions about their impact on health
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Swapping your regular soda for a diet version may not be healthier for your liver, new research suggests.
A study of UK Biobank data found that both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks, even those labeled as sugar-free, are linked to an increased risk of liver disease.
The findings were presented this week at the United European Gastroenterology Week in Berlin, Germany.
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The study followed more than 120,000 adults for 10 years. None of them had liver disease when the research began.
Over time, scientists tracked what the participants drank and also assessed their liver health.
Those who drank diet drinks (low-sugar or no-sugar drinks) had a higher risk of liver disease, the study found. (Istock)
People who drank a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as soda, sweet tea, or energy drinks, had about a 50% increased risk of developing a serious liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as non-alcohol fatty liver disease.
“Sugary drinks have long been under scrutiny, while their dietary alternatives are often considered the healthier option,” lead author Lihe Liu, a graduate student in the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, said in a news release.
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However, those who drank diet drinks (low-sugar or no-sugar drinks (or LNSSB)) had an even higher risk of liver disease, about 60%.
That implies that switching from regular soda to diet soda didn’t protect their livers and might have made things worse.
Replacing either drink with water reduced the risk of liver disease by up to 15%, while substituting between the two types of drinks offered no risk reduction. (Istock)
People who regularly drank artificially sweetened beverages were also more likely to die from liver-related causes, the research suggested.
“Our study shows that LNSSBs were actually associated with an increased risk of MASLD, even at modest intake levels, such as a single can per day,” Liu said.
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“These findings challenge the common perception that these drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider their role in diet and liver health,” he added.
As for why zero sugar might be harmful, scientists believe it may have to do with the way artificial sweeteners affect the body.
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They have been shown to alter gut bacteria, increase sweet cravings, and confuse the brain’s hunger and satiety signals, for example.
Some research even suggests that they can still cause insulin spikes, something usually attributed to sugar.
Some research suggests that diet drinks can still cause insulin spikes, something usually attributed to sugar. (Istock)
Liu said the safest approach is to limit both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages.
Switching from sugary or diet sodas to water was shown to reduce the risk of liver disease by up to 15%, while substituting between the two types of drinks offered no risk reduction.
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“Water remains the best option, since it eliminates the metabolic load and prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver, while hydrating the body,” says the researcher.
Liver disease is already one of the fastest-growing health problems worldwide, affecting approximately 4.5 million American adults, according to CDC data.
As the full study had not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, potential limitations of the study were not available.
“Water remains the best option, since it eliminates the metabolic load and prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver, while hydrating the body,” said the researcher. (Istock)
Some experts, however, noted that beverage consumption was self-reported and may have some inaccuracies. The observational study also identifies an association, but does not prove that the drinks caused liver problems.
The Calorie Control Council, the international association representing the low- and reduced-calorie food and beverage industry, echoed these potential limitations.
“The public should demand science-based findings, especially those intended to inform their food and beverage choices,” Carla Saunders, president of the Calorie Control Council in Washington, D.C., said in a statement to News Digital. “One such long-term, peer-reviewed clinical trial published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that low- or no-calorie sweetened beverages are as effective as water in terms of safety and efficacy.”
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News Digital has reached out to the American Beverage Association and the study’s researchers for comment.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant at News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of topics including food and drink, travel and health.