Vegan diets are a plant-based nutrition programme, which involves eating solely plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Following this kind of diet means refraining from all types of animal products like eggs, dairy, meats etc. Advocates of this diet across the world argue that a well-balanced vegan diet not only protects people from chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease but also saves animals from the pain and terror of slaughter and factory conditions. A vegan diet also contributes to the environment by significantly decreasing the emission of greenhouse gasses.

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Vegan Data Helps Improve Gut Bacteria

A 2023 study, published in the journal Nature, elucidated how different diet types influence an individual's microbiota composition. Research indicates that there is a significantly higher diversity of gut bacteria, like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, capable of breaking down fibres found in vegan and vegetarian diets compared to the bacteria needed to metabolize the fats and proteins from animal-based diets. This suggests that plant-based diets promote a more varied and beneficial gut microbiome, which can enhance digestive health and nutrient absorption. The greater abundance of fiber-digesting bacteria may also contribute to improved overall health outcomes, as these microbes are linked to better metabolic functions and reduced inflammation.

Excessive consumption of energy drinks is emerging as a significant contributor to liver damage among the country’s youth, said health experts on the occasion of World Liver Day today.

April 19 is observed worldwide as World Liver Day. The theme this year is “Solid Habits, Strong Liver".

Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI) and Chairman and Head, Department of HPB and Liver Transplantation, BLK-Max Hospital, New Delhi, said that over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in young patients presenting with liver dysfunction.

"Three major contributors stand out — energy drinks, alcohol, and high-sugar beverages. Energy drinks, often perceived as harmless, contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and chemical additives that place immense stress on the liver," the doctor said.

Recent medical studies have also highlighted the harmful impact of energy drinks on liver health.

A widely cited case published in the journal BMJ Case Reports documented acute hepatitis in a previously healthy individual linked to excessive energy drink consumption, primarily due to high levels of niacin (Vitamin B3), which in large doses is known to be hepatotoxic.

Additionally, research indicates that the combination of high sugar content, caffeine, and chemical additives in these drinks can trigger fat accumulation in liver cells, oxidative stress, and inflammation — all of which contribute to liver injury over time.

Also read: World Liver Day 2026: Origin, Theme, and Significance

Experts note that when consumed frequently, especially alongside alcohol or unhealthy diets, these beverages significantly increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as Metabolism-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD).

"Alcohol continues to be a leading cause of liver disease, and sugary drinks contribute to fatty liver disease," Dr. Chaudhary said, adding that together, these are creating a perfect storm, and the number of cases is steadily rising. If liver damage progresses beyond a certain point, a liver transplant often becomes the only life-saving option.

Young Adults More Affected

Medical experts emphasize that energy drinks are aggressively marketed to young consumers as performance enhancers and fatigue relievers.

However, these drinks often contain caffeine levels far exceeding recommended daily limits, along with substances such as taurine and herbal stimulants, which the liver must metabolize. Over time, this biochemical overload can impair liver function.

Also read: Lancet Study Shows Metabolic Liver Disease To Rise Over 38% By 2050: What’s Behind The Surge

India is witnessing a concerning rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with studies suggesting that nearly 25–30 per cent of the urban population may be affected, including a growing number of adolescents and young adults. High consumption of sugary beverages is a key driver, contributing to insulin resistance and fat deposition in the liver.

Dr. Neerav Goyal, President-Elect of LTSI and Head, Liver Transplant, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, said that patients in their 20s and 30s are more affected by the conditions, which were once seen primarily in older individuals

Energy drinks and sugary beverages are contributing to "fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation, and long-term damage," Dr. Goyal said.

The doctors also warned against the increasingly popular trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol.

“From a clinical standpoint, we are clearly observing a pattern where lifestyle choices are directly impacting liver health at a younger age," said Dr. Charles Panackel, Senior Consultant, Hepatology at Aster Medcity Kochi.

The expert noted that while the liver is a resilient organ, continuous exposure to these harmful substances leads to progressive damage — from fatty liver to inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.

Also read: Fatty Liver Disease Driving Fertility Issues In India, Doctors Warn

Why Awareness Is Critical

Awareness is critical because early-stage liver disease is often reversible if addressed in time, the experts said. Parents, schools, and policymakers must also play an active role in educating young people about the hidden dangers of these beverages.

Some preventive steps for better liver health include:

• increasing awareness campaigns targeting youth,
• stricter regulations for energy drinks
• labeling of high-caffeine and high-sugar beverages,
• proactive lifestyle changes
• reducing consumption of processed drinks,
• avoiding alcohol-energy drink combinations,
• maintaining a balanced diet,
• engaging in regular physical activity.
• early screening.

Nowadays, people of every age group consume junk food. While this junk food is appealing to the taste buds, it can take a toll on liver health. Yes, that’s right. You will be shocked to know that frequent junk food consumption not only leads to obesity, gastric issues, joint pain, and inflammation but also to liver problems. Individuals who consume junk food four to five times a week, combined with a hectic lifestyle, have a higher chance of suffering from fatty liver, which can lead to liver damage. Everyone, including youngsters, should be cautious and prioritise liver health. Ahead of World Liver Day, Dr Chetan Kalal, Assistant Director – Hepatology, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, spoke about the impact of junk food on liver health.

The junk food crisis

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many people rely heavily on junk food due to long working hours, stress, and a lack of time to cook healthy meals. They tend to order food online, consume processed snacks even at work, and skip balanced meals. Many are addicted to junk food, avoid freshly prepared home-cooked meals, and order online at least three to four times a week simply because they enjoy trying a variety of dishes. While ordering food is quick and may seem like a convenient option, such unhealthy eating patterns can negatively impact the liver.

Decoding the link between junk food and liver health, the liver plays a pivotal role in digestion and detoxification. Unfortunately, poor eating habits can overload it, leading to serious liver problems. Junk food is loaded with unhealthy fats, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. When consumed regularly, it leads to the build-up of fat in the liver, a condition known as fatty liver disease. Frequent consumption of junk food can interfere with the liver’s normal functioning. Excess sugar, especially from soft drinks and desserts, is converted into fat and stored in the liver. Similarly, fried and processed foods increase inflammation and make it harder for the liver to process nutrients effectively and function properly.

How does junk food affect the liver?

When the liver is affected, many people experience symptoms such as tiredness, digestive discomfort, bloating, and unexplained weight gain. In many cases, fatty liver may not show clear symptoms in the early stages, making it even more dangerous. If ignored, it can progress to more serious conditions such as liver inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis, which can permanently damage the liver. If the liver fails to function as it should, the last option may be a transplant. Undergoing a liver transplant can help improve the patient’s quality of life. To avoid the need for a transplant, it is essential to adopt liver-friendly habits.

Recovering from years of liver damage

Adhering to vital measures is the need of the hour to protect liver health. Make sure to avoid junk food, sugary drinks, desserts, bakery items, ice creams, sodas, and colas. Seek guidance from an expert who can advise on healthy eating habits. It is important to include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds in the diet to support liver function. Avoid deeply fried snacks, which may be tempting but can lead to health problems. Foods such as samosas, vada, instant noodles, pizza, biscuits, kachori, pakora, puri, potato chips, cakes, white bread, sweets, and buns should be limited or excluded from the diet. Daily physical activity, weight management, and proper hydration are beneficial for liver health. Regular health check-ups, as advised by an expert, can help detect liver problems early and ensure timely treatment.

Trying to lose weight? Drop that wheat bread loaded with carbohydrates, suggests a study, which showed that the humble staple food for people worldwide can cause weight gain even without adding extra calories.

Traditionally, research has focused on high-fat consumption as the main driver of weight gain, but the role of carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, rice, and noodles—consumed daily around the world—is less explored.

In the study, researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan studied how carbohydrates influence eating behavior and metabolism in mice.

The researchers examined whether mice preferred foods like wheat, bread, and rice over standard chow, and how these choices affected body weight and energy use.

The animals were divided into several feeding groups, including

• Chow,
• Chow + Bread,
• Chow + Wheat flour,
• Chow + Rice flour,
• High-fat diet (HFD) + Chow,
• HFD + Wheat flour.

Mice that consumed rice flour similarly gained weight to those that ate wheat flour. In contrast, mice given a High-fat diet (HFD) + Wheat flour gained less weight than those on a High-fat diet (HFD) + Chow.

"These findings suggest that weight gain may not be due to wheat-specific effects, but rather to a strong preference for carbohydrates and the associated metabolic changes," said Professor Shigenobu Matsumura from the varsity’s Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology.

What Is Driving Weight Gain

The results showed that weight gain was not caused by "overeating," but by a reduction in energy expenditure.

Further analysis revealed higher levels of fatty acids in the blood and lower levels of essential amino acids. In the liver, fat accumulation increased, along with the activity of genes linked to fatty acid production and lipid transport.

When wheat flour was removed from the diet, both body weight and metabolic abnormalities improved quickly. This suggests that moving away from a wheat-heavy diet and toward a more balanced one may help regulate body weight more effectively.

While the study was conducted in mice, the researchers aim to focus on humans “to verify the extent to which the metabolic changes identified in this study apply to actual dietary habits".

"We also intend to investigate how factors such as whole grains, unrefined grains, and foods rich in dietary fiber, as well as their combinations with proteins and fats, food processing methods, and timing of consumption, affect metabolic responses to carbohydrate intake. In the future, we hope this will serve as a scientific foundation for achieving a balance between "taste" and "health" in the fields of nutritional guidance, food education, and food development," stated Professor Matsumura.