Excess sugar: liver at risk

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Extract from the article: The liver is one of the body's most important organs. It plays an essential role in digestion, metabolism and detoxification. Unfortunately, many of the foods we consume on a regular basis, such as sugar, can be detrimental to liver health. Studies h

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The liver is one of the body's most important organs. It plays an essential role in digestion, metabolism and detoxification. Unfortunately, many of the foods we consume on a regular basis, such as sugar, can be detrimental to liver health. Studies have shown that excessive sugar consumption can cause serious damage to the liver.

When sugar is consumed in excess, the liver has to work hard to process it. Sugar is made up of glucose and fructose. Fructose poses the biggest problem. Once ingested, fructose is metabolized by the liver, which converts it into fat. This accumulation of fat in the liver can lead to hepatic steatosis, also known as « fatty liver ».

Research published in the « Journal of Hepatology » has revealed that excessive consumption of fructose, a type of sugar found in many processed foods, can cause liver inflammation similar to that caused by alcohol.  Alcohol, meanwhile, is also metabolized by the liver, but is transformed into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that damages liver cells.

Excess sugar and liver disease

Excessive sugar consumption can lead to a number of liver problems. In addition to hepatic steatosis, it can promote the development of chronic liver inflammation, known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD). The latter can progress to cirrhosis, a serious disease characterized by the destruction of functional liver tissue and its replacement by scar tissue. In addition, excessive sugar consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that can also damage the liver. A study « Diet-Induced Models of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Food for Thought on Sugar, Fat, and Cholesterol » by researchers at the Université de Montréal showed that excessive sugar consumption can lead to hepatic fibrosis, a condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scarring.

Preserving liver health

To preserve liver health, it's essential to limit consumption of added sugar. The main sources of added sugar in the diet are sugary drinks, pastries, sweets and processed products. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is recommended. Regular physical exercise and reduced alcohol consumption are also important for maintaining a healthy liver.

Raymond DZAKPATA