Drinking diet drinks? The health risk you should know about
A comprehensive study tracking over 103,000 people for about a decade found a link between daily consumption of diet drinks and a 60% increased risk of fatty liver disease, compared to 50% among consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages. Replacing these drinks with water reduced the risk by about 14%.
A comprehensive study tracking over 103,000 people for about a decade found a link between daily consumption of diet drinks and a 60% increased risk of fatty liver disease, compared to 50% among consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages. The findings were presented at a European gastroenterology conference. Researchers speculate that artificial sweeteners may alter the composition of gut bacteria and disrupt the feeling of fullness, potentially leading to insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver. In contrast, replacing these drinks with water reduced the risk by about 14%. Experts emphasize that the main risk stems from daily consumption, while occasional drinking is probably not harmful. The key recommendation is to prefer water as the main beverage.