Key takeaways
- Avoid all types of soft drinks with added sugars if you have a fatty liver, as they contribute to the disease’s development.
- Even “zero sugar” sodas and 100% fruit juices should be consumed in moderation due to high sugar content.
- Alternatives like sparkling water, lemon water, coffee, and various teas are safer choices for those with a fatty liver.
As a huge fan of Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, and basically any type of soda, I know how scary it is to hear that you have to give them all up if you have been diagnosed with a fatty liver disease.
You should stop drinking soda/pop if you have a fatty liver, mainly because these drinks are full of sugar and various unhealthy ingredients that are bad for the liver.
You should stop drinking any type of soda or soft drink that has added sugars if you have a fatty liver – this includes non-carbonated drinks and even fruit juices, no matter if they are natural or not.
We already know that you should stop eating sugar after you’ve been diagnosed, and soft drinks have plenty of it.
Studies have shown these drinks to be independently linked to the development of fatty liver disease in the absence of other risk factors.
We also have this study published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal.
It concluded that drinking even one beverage with added sugar on a daily basis for five to seven years can lead to fatty liver disease. And many of us have a lot more on a daily basis!
It is therefore advised to drink them in moderation in healthy individuals and best avoided in those with a confirmed diagnosis of fatty liver disease.
Types of Soda Drinks You MUST Avoid
Any type of drink that has added sugars should be avoided by those suffering from a fatty liver.
This basically includes all the soft drinks on the market that are not marked as “zero sugar” (but we’ll get to those below too).
Even fruit juices with 100% fruit should be consumed in moderation because of the high sugar content.
In other words, the bad news is real: you do have to stop having these drinks if you want to regain your health.
I know how difficult it is because I had to do the same in my quest to reverse my fatty liver. To me, it was even more difficult than giving up alcohol – but I knew it had to be done if I wanted to be healthy. So should you!
But it was all worth it because I actually managed to reverse my condition and regain my health.
And I am STILL not touching these drinks, 10 years after my diagnosis. So, while extremely difficult, it is something that can be done.
Can You Drink Diet Soda if You Have a Fatty Liver?
There is conflicting evidence on this matter regarding the safety of diet soda if you have MASLD aka fatty liver.
Some experts found no link between drinking diet soda and fatty liver, while others concluded that even diet soda consumption can increase the risk of developing a fatty liver.
I personally drank diet soda while having a fatty liver and I continue to have it even after reversing my condition. But I keep the amount of diet soda that I drink to a minimum.
This means that I will drink at most 1 can per day, but not on a daily basis. It seems that it did no harm since I did manage to reverse my condition.
However, just like with other types of sweetened drinks, I think that it is best to play it safe and unless you REALLY can’t stay away from it, you should stop drinking this too.
But if you really have to choose between soda sweetened with sugar and no sugar varieties, go for the latter. This is what my experience proves it’s a good idea, and what most experts agree upon too.
Ready my previous article for some advice on what to drink if you have a fatty liver. Or go more in depth on this matter with my dedicated article about diet soda and fatty liver.
Alternatives to soda if you have a fatty liver
There are, fortunately, plenty of safe alternatives to drinking soda, although probably not as tasty. Here is what you can replace soda with:
- Sparkling water, plain
- Flavored sparkling water like La Croix: click here to check it out (affiliate link)
- lemon water
- coffee
- various teas
And, as I said, if you REALLY can’t live without it (I know I tried and it was difficult), you can treat yourself every now and then with a sugar free soda.
Natural juices (even if you squeeze the fruits at home) should be avoided because you still get a huge punch of carbohydrates (basically sugar) without the added benefits of eating the whole fruit.
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Conclusion
As bad as it might sound – and as difficult as it is to achieve – soda should be eliminated from your fatty liver-friendly diet.
All the sugars contained in these drinks, but also all the other chemicals (preservatives, flavors, and other ingredients) can cause more harm to an already suffering liver.
Yes, I know it’s difficult to stop having these – but take a look at my recommended alternatives and choose to live healthy.
I guarantee that you’ll still be able to enjoy life even without the otherwise delicious sodas out there.
I know it’s never nice to hear that you have to cut something new off your list of allowed foods and drinks, but it has to be done if you want to get healthy again.
I was diagnosed with a fatty liver back in 2014 and managed to reverse it by mid-2015. Since then, I’ve been studying it, continuously updating my knowledge with the latest scientific findings and practical approaches to give others the help they need to reverse their condition.
My approach to managing fatty liver is holistic, balancing scientifically-backed information with real-life, practical advice based on personal, direct experience.
I am also the admin of the Fatty Liver Support Group on Facebook and the Fatty Liver Subreddit.