Strange but true: just like alcohol, sugar consumed daily can destroy your liver from the inside!

Alcohol and sugar… You might be feeling a bit strange after reading these two names together. Most of us think that alcohol is very bad for health, but what about sugar? We consume it with great gusto every morning and evening in tea, sweets or cold drinks. But now the time has come that we break this illusion and deeply understand what game the sugar which we are eating with great pleasure every day is playing inside our body. Here we are not making any direct comparison between sugar and alcohol, but from the point of view of science, we are trying to explain that there is a scary similarity between these two about which very few people are aware. That is the similarity – the direct and fatal effect both of these have on our liver. The ‘Liver Connection’ of Sugar and Alcohol Our liver is the biggest chemical factory and filter machine of our body. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcohol destroys our liver in several stages. Initially, excess fat accumulates in the liver, then its tissues get swollen and gradually scar tissues start forming, which in medical language is called liver cirrhosis or fibrosis. Ultimately this condition can also cause liver cancer. Now let’s talk about sugar. According to a research published in the famous medical journal ‘Pubmed’, sugar (especially fructose) has a very direct and dangerous relationship with our liver. Danger of Fructose and Fatty Liver: When we consume too much sugar, packaged juice, cold drinks or sweet things for a long time, our liver is unable to handle the fructose present in it. The result is that it starts converting this extra sugar into fat. For this reason, even people who do not drink alcohol become victims of a serious disease called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Sugar vs Alcohol: Which is More Dangerous? If we compare these two keeping liver health at the center, then the way they work is slightly different, which can be easily understood from the table given below: It is clear from this comparison that alcohol is more dangerous in the immediate term, but it does not mean that sugar is completely safe. Eating more sugar than the limit can bring your liver to the same level as the liver of an alcohol drinker. Surefire ways to keep your liver safe and healthy: Liver is the only organ in our body that can regenerate itself, provided we give it the right environment. To keep your liver always young and healthy, make these changes in your lifestyle from today itself: Control your weight: Body weight should neither be too much nor too little suddenly. Balanced weight reduces the risk of fatty liver by 80%. Regular exercise: Do walking, running or any physical exercise for half an hour at least 3 to 4 days a week. Improve eating habits: Include whole grains, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits in your diet. Completely stay away from canned juices and cold drinks. Do not take medicines without advice: In case of frequent headache or body ache, give up the habit of taking painkillers (painkillers) on your own. It directly damages the liver. Avoid supplements: Do not consume any kind of herbal, allopathic or protein supplements without the written advice of a doctor. Don’t compromise on sleep: Set a fixed time for sleeping at night and waking up in the morning. Deep sleep of 7 to 8 hours daily helps in detoxifying the liver. The biggest problem of liver is that its initial symptoms are not easily detected. Therefore, if you have persistent fatigue, heaviness in the right side of the stomach or digestive problems, do not ignore it as a minor weakness and contact a doctor immediately. Disclaimer: The main purpose of this article is only to raise awareness about the effects of sugar and alcohol on the liver. It should not be taken as any kind of medical treatment or medical advice. Always consult your doctor or specialist for any health related problem.