On World Liver Day, liver specialists across India warned that excessive consumption of energy drinks is emerging as a significant and growing contributor to liver damage among young people, reports PTI. Healthcare professionals called for urgent awareness campaigns, stricter regulation and clearer labelling of high-caffeine and high-sugar beverages, alongside immediate lifestyle changes to curb the rising burden of liver disease.
Doctors told PTI they are increasingly seeing young patients with early signs of liver dysfunction, a trend supported by clinical observations and global scientific evidence. Experts noted that patients in their 20s and 30s are now presenting with conditions once largely seen in older age groups, indicating a clear demographic shift in liver disease patterns.
Recent medical research has also highlighted the harmful impact of energy drinks on liver health. A widely cited case published in BMJ Case Reports documented acute hepatitis in a previously healthy individual linked to excessive energy drink consumption, attributed mainly to high levels of niacin or Vitamin B3, which can be toxic to the liver in large doses.
He noted that energy drinks, often perceived as harmless, contain high levels of caffeine, sugar and chemical additives that place significant stress on the liver. When consumed frequently, especially alongside alcohol or unhealthy diets, they increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. He added that alcohol remains a leading cause of liver disease, while sugary beverages contribute further to fatty liver development.
Dr Chaudhary warned that this combination is creating a “perfect storm” of liver damage among youth, with cases steadily rising. He added that in advanced stages of liver damage, a transplant may become the only life-saving option.
Over time, this continuous biochemical load can impair liver function. When combined with alcohol consumption, the risk of alcohol poisoning and liver toxicity increases significantly, specialists warned.
Dr Neerav Goyal, president-elect of the Liver Transplantation Society of India and head of Liver Transplant, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told PTI a clear shift is being seen in liver disease demographics, with younger patients increasingly affected. He noted that alcohol remains a major factor, but energy drinks and sugary beverages cannot be ignored as they contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation and long-term damage.
He explained that the liver, though resilient, suffers progressive damage with continuous exposure to harmful substances, moving from fatty liver to inflammation, fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. He added that early-stage liver disease can often be reversed if detected and addressed in time.
Dr Naveen Ganjoo, governing council member of LTSI and senior consultant in Hepatology and Integrated Liver Care at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, said frequent energy drink consumption is emerging as an under-recognised risk factor for liver injury in young individuals. He stressed that many of these cases are preventable with timely awareness.
Doctors recommended maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity as key preventive measures against liver disease.
They further stressed that parents, schools and policymakers must play an active role in educating young people about the hidden dangers of energy drinks and related lifestyle habits, with Dr Chaudhary emphasising the need for collective responsibility to protect youth from preventable liver damage.
(With inputs from PTI)
Doctors told PTI they are increasingly seeing young patients with early signs of liver dysfunction, a trend supported by clinical observations and global scientific evidence. Experts noted that patients in their 20s and 30s are now presenting with conditions once largely seen in older age groups, indicating a clear demographic shift in liver disease patterns.
Recent medical research has also highlighted the harmful impact of energy drinks on liver health. A widely cited case published in BMJ Case Reports documented acute hepatitis in a previously healthy individual linked to excessive energy drink consumption, attributed mainly to high levels of niacin or Vitamin B3, which can be toxic to the liver in large doses.
Energy drinks, alcohol and sugary beverages under scrutiny
Liver specialists identified energy drinks, alcohol and high-sugar beverages as major contributors to the rising cases of liver disease in young people. Dr Abhideep Chaudhary, president of the Liver Transplantation Society of India and chairman and head of the Department of HPB and Liver Transplantation at BLK-Max Hospital, Delhi, said these three factors are standing out in clinical cases of liver dysfunction, as reported by PTI.He noted that energy drinks, often perceived as harmless, contain high levels of caffeine, sugar and chemical additives that place significant stress on the liver. When consumed frequently, especially alongside alcohol or unhealthy diets, they increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. He added that alcohol remains a leading cause of liver disease, while sugary beverages contribute further to fatty liver development.
Dr Chaudhary warned that this combination is creating a “perfect storm” of liver damage among youth, with cases steadily rising. He added that in advanced stages of liver damage, a transplant may become the only life-saving option.
Hidden risks and aggressive marketing to youth
Experts also highlighted that energy drinks are aggressively marketed as performance enhancers and fatigue relievers, particularly targeting young consumers. Doctors said these beverages often contain caffeine levels that exceed recommended daily limits, along with taurine and herbal stimulants that must be metabolised by the liver.Over time, this continuous biochemical load can impair liver function. When combined with alcohol consumption, the risk of alcohol poisoning and liver toxicity increases significantly, specialists warned.
Dr Neerav Goyal, president-elect of the Liver Transplantation Society of India and head of Liver Transplant, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told PTI a clear shift is being seen in liver disease demographics, with younger patients increasingly affected. He noted that alcohol remains a major factor, but energy drinks and sugary beverages cannot be ignored as they contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation and long-term damage.
Clinical evidence of progressive liver injury
Dr Charles Panackel, secretary of the Liver Transplantation Society of India and senior consultant in Hepatology at Aster Medcity, Kochi, said clinicians are observing a direct link between lifestyle choices and worsening liver health at younger ages, reports PTI.He explained that the liver, though resilient, suffers progressive damage with continuous exposure to harmful substances, moving from fatty liver to inflammation, fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. He added that early-stage liver disease can often be reversed if detected and addressed in time.
Dr Naveen Ganjoo, governing council member of LTSI and senior consultant in Hepatology and Integrated Liver Care at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, said frequent energy drink consumption is emerging as an under-recognised risk factor for liver injury in young individuals. He stressed that many of these cases are preventable with timely awareness.
Urgent call for preventive action and public awareness
On World Liver Day, experts urged urgent awareness drives targeting youth, stricter regulation of high-caffeine and high-sugar beverages, and mandatory clearer labelling to highlight health risks. They also called for proactive lifestyle changes to reduce consumption of processed drinks and avoid mixing energy drinks with alcohol.Doctors recommended maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity as key preventive measures against liver disease.
They further stressed that parents, schools and policymakers must play an active role in educating young people about the hidden dangers of energy drinks and related lifestyle habits, with Dr Chaudhary emphasising the need for collective responsibility to protect youth from preventable liver damage.
(With inputs from PTI)
