What Fast Food Can Do To Your Liver

According to recent research, consuming fast food increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The condition occurs when too much fat is deposited in the liver and might cause additional problems.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease puts the liver under stress, which may cause cirrhosis, which can subsequently result in liver cancer or failure.

According to recent research, frequenting fast food establishments, which often sell fried dishes rich in calories, may increase your risk of developing certain liver diseases.

According to research that was published on January 10 in the medical journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, consuming fast food is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a potentially fatal illness in which fat accumulates in the liver.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: What Is It?

A broad name for a number of liver conditions that afflict persons who do not use alcohol is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It occurs when the liver stores an excessive amount of fat and may cause additional problems. A high alcohol intake is linked to alcohol-related liver illness, which also causes liver fat to accumulate.

The Study’s Findings

People with obesity or diabetes who consumed 20% or more of their daily calories from fast food were the focus of the USC Keck Medicine research. There were 4,000 adults there. In comparison to those who eat little or no fast food, it was shown that these individuals had significantly higher amounts of fat in their livers. For the purposes of the research, fast food was defined as pizza and meals from a drive-through or no-waiting establishment.

52% Of The People Polled Said They Occasionally Ate Fast Food

Of them, 29% obtained at least a quarter of their daily caloric intake from fast food. Only in this group did liver fat levels increase.

A Little Percentage Of Fat, Around 5%, May Be Found In Healthy Livers

According to a statement from the study’s principal author, Dr. Ani Kardashian, MD, a hepatologist at Keck Medicine, even a minor increase in fat may cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The research has also shown that eating fast food in moderation (one meal per day) might harm the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease puts the liver under stress, which may cause cirrhosis, which can subsequently result in liver cancer or failure.

Up To 25% Of Americans Have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

According to Neha Mehta, DO, an internist in Los Angeles, CA, eating fast food raises cardiovascular risk factors, however, there is no data to support this claim for the liver. “This informative observational research contributed to highlighting and quantifying the detrimental consequences of fast food on the onset of liver disease, particularly in individuals who are obese and/or diabetic. It also makes clear that liver disease is caused by more than simply drinking alcohol; it may also result in all the unfavourable side effects that we often associate with heavy drinkers.

How To Keep Your Liver In Good Shape

The liver is essential to the body’s maintenance of health.

The liver processes all of the blood that exits the intestines and stomach. The liver transforms the blood into the nutrients our bodies need for survival and breaks down poisons so they are simpler for the body to consume.

The greatest things we can do to lower the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are to pick a good diet, keep a healthy weight, and exercise.

Another method to keep your liver healthy is to stay away from alcohol.

Issues With Access To Healthy Meals

Obstacles including money, neighbourhood amenities, and supermarket accessibility are just a few of the things that affect the accessibility of nutritious food.

“This article provides further motivation to advocate for change not only in the provider’s office but also on a larger scale with policies and increasing access to healthier foods for everyone in the US,” Mehta says. “In our current time where obesity and diabetes is affecting a great number of children and the young adult population.”