Fat accumulation in liver ’emerging problem’
Fat accumulation in the liver is an emerging problem in Western society. It is estimated that 25 to 30% of people have fatty liver. It is a risk factor for liver failure, liver cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers at Maastricht UMC+ have studied the link between fruit sugar (fructose) from various foods and fatty liver. About four thousand participants of the Maastricht Study, a large population study in South Limburg, underwent an MRI scan of the liver to measure the amount of fat.
5 grams of fruit sugar per glass
The Maastricht researchers found that people who consume fruit sugar from soft drinks have more fat accumulation in the liver than people who do not drink soft drinks. Similar results were found for fruit sugar derived from fruit juices.
No association found for fruit sugar from fresh fruit
People who consume five grams of fruit sugar from fruit juice daily, equivalent to one glass of orange juice per day, have 4% more liver fat compared to people who drink fruit juice sporadically. No such association was found for fruit sugar.
sugar tax
Lead researcher Professor Martijn Brouwers: ‘Most people now know that sugary soft drinks are unhealthy. The plans of the new cabinet to levy a sugar tax are in line with this. Many people, on the other hand, think that a daily glass of fruit juice is healthy. Previous research has already shown a link between drinking fruit juice and the development of diabetes’.
It is advisable to limit the intake of ‘ready-to-use’ fruit juices
‘Our research now also shows a link with fatty liver. We don’t know if this is a causal relationship. If the association is causal, it is advisable to limit the intake of fruit juices. And although a 4% difference in liver fat is not very much, omitting a glass of fruit juice, exactly as advised in the diet change advertisement of the Nutrition Center, is also a small effort.’
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