Liver disease has been spreading silently, like an epidemic, across India, claiming lives and putting a severe strain on the healthcare system. According to experts, liver disease, which was once mostly associated with excessive alcohol consumption, is now even affecting a growing number of young adults and non-drinkers alike, signalling a disturbing shift in the risk factors.
India records a staggering 268,580 liver disease deaths annually, accounting for over 18 per cent of all liver-related deaths worldwide, making it the highest contributor globally. “While alcohol-induced cirrhosis still plays a role, the real game-changer is the rise of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Recently reclassified as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), this condition reflects a deeper connection to metabolic disorders, particularly those rooted in our modern lifestyle,” Dr Manoj Shrivastav, Programme Director and Consultant, liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic, told Times Now.
A lifestyle under scrutiny
So, what has changed? Dr Aditya Verma, a consultant gastroenterologist, says one of the reasons behind a significant surge in liver disease is driven by eating patterns. “Everyday food choices can either fuel liver damage or support healing,” he said, adding, “Urbanisation, long working hours, sedentary routines, and a shift from traditional diets to processed, calorie-dense food have created a perfect storm for liver damage.”
According to Dr Verma, common culprits behind this rise include:
Processed and sugary foods
Frequent consumption of fried snacks, soft drinks, and packaged meals floods the liver with sugar and unhealthy fats, storing them as fat in the liver.
Lack of exercise
Spending long hours sitting at desks or in front of screens, combined with minimal exercise, reduces your body’s ability to burn fat.
Chronic stress
An often overlooked part is high stress levels and irregular sleep cycles, which disrupt metabolic function and lead to poor dietary habits.
Neglected metabolic conditions
Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are not just cardiovascular risks, as they are deeply intertwined with liver damage. Read More
This article is referenced from
https://www.timesnownews.com/
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