Resolution for the next year Reduce the consumption of snacks and soft drinks

German Liver Foundation: avoid XXL sizes for snacks and soft drinks

Many people are making a healthier lifestyle their New Year's resolution. A first important step here could be the lack of snacks and soft drinks. In particular, it is important to avoid the XXL sizes of these products, warns the German Liver Foundation. Although oversize sizes are currently in the trend among manufacturers, it is advisable to use the formula "Less is More" instead of "XXL".

Sugary snacks and drinks are available everywhere and packaging sizes are increasingly being adapted in the direction of XXL formats, reports the German Liver Foundation. "Whether the two-liter bottle of sugary lemonade or the 300-gram bar of chocolate, adults and children consume more and more sugar," the Foundation's critics say. Unfortunately, the XXL trend in food is also reflected in the organ liver of the XXL fans. Thus, the numbers of large and small patients who develop a non-alcoholic fatty liver in "XXL format", alarming. Therefore, the Foundation strongly advises against waiving the XXL sizes for snacks and soft drinks.

Unhealthy diet damages the liver. According to the German Liver Foundation, snacks and soft drinks in XXL format should therefore be avoided. (Image: magicmine / fotolia.com)

Alarming development in "non-alcoholic fatty liver"

The Western lifestyle, characterized by too little physical activity and an abundant sugary food supply, is one of the main causes of the alarming numbers in the disease "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease", reports Professor. Michael P. Manns, CEO of the German Liver Foundation "Those affected develop the so-called metabolic syndrome, a risk combination of obesity, elevated blood lipids, high blood pressure and diabetes, which very often has a very negative effect on the liver," the expert further.

One third of adults have an enlarged liver

Alcohol consumption is probably the most well-known cause of liver damage, but also wrong diet, lack of exercise and overweight can damage the liver and fat. "If the liver has to process more toxins, such as alcohol, or consume more sugars and fats than it can break down or store, fat deposits in the liver tissue," the experts explain. Even today, about one third of adults in Germany show a liver enlarged by fat storage and the number is steadily increasing. In addition, every third overweight child suffers from this disease, which runs in three stages.

Different stages of fatty liver

According to the experts, the stages of liver adiposity begin with a pure fatty liver, which has no inflammatory reactions. "In the second phase, which develops every second affected, the liver already shows inflammatory reactions," the German Liver Foundation further. In this case, steatohepatitis or fatty liver hepatitis are mentioned. These are distinguished into a "non-alcoholic fatty liver inflammation" (NASH) and alcoholic-induced "alcoholic fatty liver inflammation" (ASH). In about ten percent of cases, in the third stage of the disease from steatohepatitis first a liver fibrosis (connective tissue proliferation) develops and then cirrhosis of the liver (scarring of the liver). Last but not least, liver cell cancer threatens as a consequence of an inflamed fatty liver.

Regeneration of the liver possible

The change in diet can provide relief to the liver, so that the organ has time to regenerate. The renunciation of the excessive consumption of snacks and soft drinks is therefore a good intention for the new year. In the best case, a present fatty liver or a fatty liver inflammation with the change in eating habits and lifestyle can regress, reports the German Liver Foundation. As measures are depending on the cause of fatty liver, inter alia, a controlled weight loss, a change in diet, more exercise and a renunciation of alcohol required.

Check liver enzymes

"I know it's not easy to change habits such as having sweet snacks in between, but perhaps a doctor's visit with a check-up of liver enzymes in a blood test will provide the necessary motivation boost to a healthier life from 2018"; so Professor Manns. Finally, a fatty liver can usually heal by a lifestyle change and regenerate independently and "it must not always be XXL while enjoying," the expert stresses. (Fp)