5 popular drinks that accidentally damage the liver

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body. It filters toxins, aids in digestion, controls blood sugar, and keeps the system running smoothly. But the liver is not invincible.

Bad habits, especially when it comes to drinking, can lead to fat accumulation, inflammation, and even long-term liver damage.

So if you’ve given up beer or wine but still drink soda or sweet lattes, it might be time to take a reality check. Here are five common drinks (other than alcohol) that can silently damage your liver.

Soft drinks , carbonated water

According to Times of India , most of us know that soft drinks are bad for our waistlines or teeth, but the liver is also affected.

5 loại đồ uống được yêu thích nhưng lại vô tình hại gan - 1 — Most cases of fatty liver have no symptoms (Photo: Healthline).

Soft drinks are high in sugar, especially fructose, which is often delivered in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. The liver is the only organ that can process fructose in large amounts, and when overloaded, it begins to convert sugar into fat. Over time, this fat builds up in the liver and can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a silent condition that often doesn't cause obvious symptoms at first, but over time it increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and hepatitis. And it's worth noting that you don't have to be overweight or drink alcohol to get it.

Also, be wary of diet sodas. They may not contain sugar, but artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose have been linked to liver cell damage and fat accumulation in animal studies.

Energy drinks

Energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine, sugar, and other ingredients like taurine, guarana, and B vitamins. In particular, niacin (vitamin B3) can be toxic to the liver in high doses.

And since energy drinks often contain much more niacin than you get from natural foods, consuming too much on a regular basis can cause problems.

There have even been documented cases of people suffering acute liver failure after drinking multiple energy drinks daily over a long period of time. Plus, many energy drinks contain a lot of sugar, which doubles the damage as your liver has to deal with the overload of niacin and the sugar spike.

Sugary fruit juice

At first glance, it may seem like a healthy choice. But the problem is that most commercial fruit juices have had the fiber, which is a good nutrient for whole fruit, removed, and are loaded with added sugar.

Even 100% fruit juice, with no added sugar, is still loaded with natural sugars. Without fiber, your body absorbs that sugar very quickly, which puts your liver into overdrive. Drinking it regularly is essentially overloading your liver with sugar, just like soda does.

Studies have shown that diets high in sugary drinks, including fruit juice, are associated with a higher risk of fatty liver disease.

Coffee or tea containing lots of sugar and syrup

Plain coffee and tea are actually great for your liver. In fact, research suggests that coffee may even help protect your liver from liver disease. The problem arises when you add too much sugar, flavored syrups, whipped cream, or heavy cream to your drinks.

A fancy caramel latte or sweet iced tea may seem like a harmless treat, but added sugars wreak havoc on your liver. Over time, they contribute to fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.

Flavored milk and chocolate drinks

Parents should pay special attention to flavored milk and chocolate drinks.

They seem harmless enough, and kids especially love them. But most are loaded with sugar, sometimes as much as soda. That sugar builds up fat in the liver over time, which is especially worrisome for kids and teens.

Early liver stress at a young age can lead to long-term health problems.