Approximately 65 percent of adults in the U.S. consume sugar-sweetened beverages every day. In addition to having negative effects on your heart, blood sugar (glucose) level, and brain, this habit could also be bad for your liver.
A new study followed nearly 99,000 postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 for an average of more than 20 years. Consuming one or more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day was associated with significantly higher rates of liver cancer and death from liver disease than consuming three or less servings per month. Consuming artificially sweetened beverages was not associated with higher risk.
Researchers do not know why sugary drinks might increase risk of liver problems, and it is possible this association is related to other behaviors of individuals who consume sugar-sweetened beverages. Still, for overall health, it is wise to stick to plain and naturally flavored water and seltzer, unsweetened tea and coffee, and occasional fruit juice. Artificially sweetened beverages are an option but could cause other problems and have not been found to benefit health.