Drinking Risks: Beware! Drinking too much alcohol even once a week is harmful to the liver, a new study reveals.:Fatty Liver Disease Causes: People often live under the misconception that if they drink alcohol in moderation or on weekends, they have no problems. Let us explain what the problem is.

News Topical, Digital Desk : People often think that drinking too much alcohol occasionally is not a big deal, especially when they drink very little or not at all throughout the week. But now a new study is challenging this belief and is saying that such habits can prove to be dangerous for the liver. This study, conducted by researchers from Keck Medicine and University of Southern California, USA, has been published in the prestigious journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. It has come to light that drinking alcohol even occasionally in large quantities can significantly increase the risk of liver damage.

What did the research reveal?

This research focused specifically on a condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), one of the fastest-growing liver problems in the world today. This disease causes fat to accumulate in the liver, which can lead to serious conditions such as inflammation and scarring. This condition is more common in people with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

How much effect does drinking alcohol have?

The researchers not only looked at how much alcohol people drank, but also tried to understand the impact of drinking patterns. They focused on episodic heavy drinking, i.e., excessive drinking in a single day. This included four or more drinks in a single day for women and five or more drinks for men, at least once a month. They also found that young people and men were more inclined to engage in this type of drinking. Furthermore, liver damage was found to be more severe in those who drank heavily at one time. Experts believe that heavy drinking puts a sudden strain on the liver, increasing the risk of inflammation and damage.

The results are shocking

Analysis of data from over 8,000 adults between 2017 and 2023 revealed surprising results. Those with MASLD and heavy drinking had a nearly threefold increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis, a condition in which scar tissue forms in the liver, affecting its ability to function. A key finding of the study was that the method of alcohol consumption matters more than the total amount consumed. This means that if two people drink the same amount of alcohol weekly, the person who finishes it in a single day is at greater risk to their liver.