A Chinese study indicated that replacing sugary drinks with low-sugar or artificially sweetened beverages does not provide protection against fatty liver disease.

Researchers at the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy conference in Berlin stated that sugar-sweetened drinks and low- or no-sugar drinks are closely linked to an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition where fat accumulates in the liver due to metabolic disorders and can lead to inflammation or liver failure.

Fatty liver disease affects over 30% of the global population and is an increasing cause of liver-related deaths.

The new study followed 123,788 volunteers in the United Kingdom who had no liver disease at the start. Over a 10.3-year follow-up, participants completed regular questionnaires about their food and drink consumption. During the study, 1,178 participants developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and 108 died from liver-related causes.

Results showed that consuming more than 330 grams daily of sugar-sweetened, low-sugar, or sugar-free drinks was associated with a significant increase in the risk of fatty liver disease.

Both types of drinks were also linked to higher liver fat levels, although the study could not prove causation.

Lead researcher Lihei Liu from Soochow University Hospital said in a statement, “Sugary drinks have long been under scrutiny, while their alternatives are viewed as the healthy choice, but our study shows these alternatives may be associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, even when consumed in moderate amounts.”