The liver is one of the body's most vital organs; it filters toxins, processes nutrients, and stores energy, but excessive sugar consumption can impair its functions, potentially leading to serious health consequences.
The health news website Verywell Health, based on studies and expert opinions, presented some of the damage that excessive sugar consumption causes to the liver.
When you eat too much sugar , especially added sugars in drinks, sweets , and ultra-processed foods, the body converts this excess into fat that accumulates on top of the liver, causing inflammation and oxidative stress.
The immune cells in the liver respond to this excess fat by releasing inflammatory molecules, which affects its normal function and damages its tissues.
Over time, this persistent inflammation turns into insulin resistance.
insulin resistance
After insulin resistance develops , the pancreas begins to secrete more insulin to maintain stable blood sugar levels , and the resulting high levels prompt the liver to store more fat, thus creating a vicious cycle of inflammation, fat storage, and worsening insulin resistance.
If left untreated, this condition increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.
Excessive sugar overburdens the liver, causing it to convert into fatty acids that accumulate within its cells. Over time, the liver's function is impaired, leading to fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction, a disease that affects approximately 25 percent of the world's population.
Can the liver recover from excessive sugar?
According to the website, yes, the liver is capable of recovery.
When sugar consumption is reduced, the liver stops converting excess fructose into fat, and begins to break down stored fat and use it for energy.
Following a low-sugar, high-fiber diet, along with exercise, drinking water, and weight control, helps restore insulin sensitivity, improve blood sugar management, and reduce inflammation .
Even small changes, such as giving up soft drinks or choosing whole fruit instead of sweets, can make a big difference in the long run.
To protect the liver, doctors recommend: reducing added sugars and making sure to buy products that contain the lowest percentage of sugar.
Replace soft drinks, sweetened tea, and juices with water, sparkling water, and regular tea.
Choose whole fruit instead of juices, because the fiber in fruit slows down sugar absorption and prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar.
Add healthy fats to your diet.
Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of liver protection, as it helps burn sugar and fat.
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