Prime Highlights
Drinking one or more cans of either regular or diet soda daily has been linked to a higher risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Replacing soda with water can lower the risk by nearly 15%, according to new research presented at UEG Week 2025.
Key Facts
- The study followed over 103,000 adults for about 10 years; 949 developed MASLD and 103 died from liver-related causes.
- Drinking more than one can (around 330 g) of sugar-sweetened soda per day raised MASLD risk by about 50%; diet soda increased it by 60%.
- Replacing one can of soda with water lowered liver disease risk by 14.7%.
Key Background
A new study presented at UEG Week 2025 has found that both regular and diet sodas may significantly raise the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, not due to alcohol consumption, and it has become one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide.
The research used data from more than 103,000 participants from the UK Biobank who had no signs of liver disease at the start. Over a median follow-up period of around 10 years, researchers tracked participants’ consumption of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages (commonly referred to as diet sodas). They also analyzed liver fat content in a subset of participants using MRI scans.
During the study period, nearly 1,000 people developed MASLD, and over 100 died from liver-related complications. Results showed that consuming more than 330 g of sugar-sweetened soda daily—roughly equivalent to one standard can—was linked to a 50% higher likelihood of developing MASLD. Those who consumed the same amount of diet soda had an even higher risk—around 60%. Moreover, people who frequently drank diet sodas showed an increased likelihood of liver-related death, suggesting a dose-dependent effect.
Researchers also explored what would happen if participants replaced one can of soda each day with water. The analysis indicated a 14.7% reduction in MASLD risk when replacing sugary drinks, and a slightly smaller benefit when replacing diet sodas. However, switching between diet and regular sodas did not show any significant change in risk.
While these findings are concerning, experts caution that the study has limitations. It has not yet been peer-reviewed, and beverage consumption was self-reported, which may not always be accurate. Additionally, participants were mostly from similar backgrounds, limiting how broadly the results apply to other populations.
Nevertheless, the study highlights that both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened sodas can negatively affect liver health. Health professionals recommend opting for water or unsweetened beverages as healthier alternatives to protect the liver and reduce the risk of metabolic and liver-related diseases.