Are you one of those who opts for a sugar free soda option or diet sodas and thinks that is a healthier alternative? You may be surprised to know that this is absolutely false. Sodas, whether it be diet or sugar free, are just as harmful as regular sodas, and can harm your organs, especially the liver. Talking to the Onlymyhealth team, Chaitali Rajendra Rane, Clinical Dietician, PD Hinduja Hospital, Khar said, “Heavy consumption of diet soda can increase the risk of liver disease.”
Diet Soda Damages Liver
“For those who consider diet soda a healthier alternative, consuming it daily can damage the liver causing diseases like mild non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” said Rane. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology assessed varying degrees of diet soda and flavoured juice consumption. Upon conducting an ultrasound scan on the patients, the researchers found that 44% had mild fatty liver diseases, 38% of moderate fatty liver diseases, and 18% of severe fatty liver.
Rane listed a few reasons why this happens:
- This is because diet soda is a processed drink with excessive additives to increase its shelf life.
- Diet soda elevates the blood pressure and vascular dilation. According to the National Library of Medicine, vasodilation means widening of blood vessels.
- Even though it is zero calorie, it has some artificial, chemically synthesised sweeteners to maintain the taste and texture. This can advance this liver disease further.
Reversing Liver Damage Due To Diet Soda
If you are an avid diet soda drinker, there is no need to panic. Rane said that liver damage due to diet soda can be managed. “Initially, non alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs as a mild fatty liver diseases, but if you ignore it, it can advance to a severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” she added.
Also Read: Diet Soda May Not Be As Healthy Of An Alternative As You Believed: Study Links It To Liver Disease
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, fatty liver disease often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses, symptoms can include:
- Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak.
- Pain or discomfort: In the upper right abdomen, where the liver is located.
- Weight loss: Unexplained or unintended weight loss.
- Enlarged liver: Your doctor may detect an enlarged liver during a physical exam.
- Fatigue or weakness: Feeling tired or weak.
She suggested some ways for people to manage their liver health if they drink diet soda daily:
- In case a person’s liver has started deteriorating due to heavy diet soda use, the first step has to be to cut off the intake of diet soda and other packaged, overly processed drinks.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is normally detected through tomography or a liver scan. So get yourself tested if you notice any symptoms.
- Cut down your sugar and carbohydrate intake to detoxify your liver.
- A general rule of thumb should be to not consume diet soda more than once a week.
- Limit your intake of aspartame and other chemical sweeteners.
While many people consider diet sodas or sugar-free options as healthier alternatives to regular sodas, research and experts caution against excessive consumption. Diet sodas can still harm the liver and contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, especially with heavy daily intake. If you're a regular consumer, taking steps to reduce intake and prioritise liver-friendly habits can help mitigate potential damage.