Hepatologist Brian T. Lee Avoids 55-Gram Sugary Drinks to Protect Liver Health
Updated
Updated · AOL · Aug 24
Hepatologist Brian T. Lee Avoids 55-Gram Sugary Drinks to Protect Liver Health
2 articles · Updated · AOL · Aug 24
Summary
Dr. Brian T. Lee said he most consistently avoids sugar-sweetened beverages—such as soda, sweetened tea, lemonade and some sports drinks—because they are easy to overconsume and can drive liver fat buildup.
A 20-ounce soft drink can contain about 220 calories and 55 grams of added sugar, far above the 10-gram-per-meal limit he cited, while liquid calories often do not reduce later food intake.
Lee said heavy sugary-drink intake is strongly associated with fatty liver, chronic liver disease and weight gain, though he stressed that one soda alone does not cause liver disease unless it becomes a main hydration source.
Instead, he recommends water, unsweetened iced tea and black coffee—citing observational evidence linking regular coffee intake to less advanced liver scarring and lower cirrhosis and liver-cancer risk.
Beyond beverages, Lee advises limiting ultra-processed, fried and high-saturated-fat foods and favors a Mediterranean-style, minimally processed diet that people can sustain over time.