Rebecca Manzi Eating too much fast food can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is the accumulation of fat in the liver which leads to an increased risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer.
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Over the last decades, fast food consumption has grown dramatically and is now found in the majority of diets. However, in a recent survey conducted by Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California, a shocking connection between this type of diet and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or a condition in which fat builds up in the liver and renders it susceptible to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer, was reported.
The research, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, employed the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to examine the dietary behavior of approximately 4,000 adults.
The findings indicate that consuming fast food negatively impacts liver health, particularly in individuals with diabetes or obesity. Specifically, individuals who consume at least 20% of their total daily calories from fast food have significantly higher levels of liver fat compared to those who consume less.
52% of the respondents consume fast food on a regular basis
Ani Kardashian, a lead author of the research and a hepatologist, explained that a healthy liver must contain less than 5% fat. Yet even a modest increase in percentage of fat will result in progressive liver damage. And it is much higher in individuals with metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, which put the liver at risk for fat deposition.
One of the most frequent results of the research is that 52% of the participants eat fast food every day, and 29% get at least one-fifth of their daily caloric requirements from it. The latter group experienced higher liver fat, which confirms the danger behind what can be considered to be a mild addiction. When variables such as age, gender, alcohol consumption, and physical activity are adjusted for, the association between fast food and fatty liver disease remained evident.
In the last 50 years, the consumption of junk food has risen across all economic levels and experienced a further boost during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase could have helped spread NAFLD further, and dietary education is more important than ever.
The only method to avoid and cure NAFLD is a healthier diet
The only effective way of prevention and treatment of this disease is by the improvement of diet, the reduction of fast food consumption, and the implementation of a balanced, healthy diet. Experts hope that these findings will make both the general public and doctors more conscious of the need for healthier lifestyle.
