Liver cancer frequently affects women, but reducing the consumption of this drink can help reduce risks.
Liver cancer, the third most common cancer in women, can be avoided by simply changing the consumption of a food.
Indeed, a recent American study highlights the link between regular consumption of sugary drinks like sodas but also fruity drinks and a risk increase. Menopausal women are particularly concerned.
How to detect symptoms of liver cancer?
Detecting liver cancer can be difficult because it remains
often asymptomatic And can evolve quickly. Indeed, it is called “silent organ”. Nevertheless, in some cases, a General degradation of the state of healthwithout obvious cause, can be one of the rare signs of alert. Other symptoms Can also manifest itself: abdominal pain, feeling of embarrassment or heaviness, appearance of a mass in the liver, ascites, signs of liver insufficiency (such as jaundice or neurological disorders), persistent fatigue, loss of appetite or weight.
Although these symptoms are not specific to liver cancer, they should encourage Consult a healthcare professional in order to avoid a late diagnosis. The more the liver cancer is detected, the more the doctors will be able to offer suitable and effective treatments. A early management significantly increases the chances of therapeutic success. Furthermore, certain risk factors are well identified: smoking, the presence of hepatitis B or C, overweight or obesity, hemochromatosis an iron overload in the liver as well as hepatic steatosis, which corresponds to a excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.
Fruity drinks: unsuspected dangers for the liver
Alcohol has long been considered the main risk factor in liver cancer. However, an American study published in 2022 in Revue Current Developments in Nutritionrevealed that women consuming at least one sweet drink per day presented a risk 78 % higher to develop this cancer than those who do not consume them. Indeed, 7.3 % of women in the panel declared consuming a portion of sugary drink per day, which corresponds to a can. The sugar contained in these drinks, which the liver turns into fat when consumed in excess. This phenomenon is at the origin of what is called “foie gras disease”, a pathology marked by an accumulation of fats in the liver.
However, sugary drinks are not limited to
sodas or soft drinks. They also include consumption that we do not always suspect: a glass of orange juice at breakfast, a smoothie or other fruit drinks to taste. Although they are perceived as good for health, these drinks often contain a
significant amount of sugars added. Behind their healthy image, they can promote excessive sugar consumption, with harmful effects on the liver and health in general.
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A risk in easily modifiable menopausal women
This study was conducted on a panel of 90,504 women aged 50 to 79, followed for almost 19 years thanks to questionnaires, then confirmed by examining their medical records. It highlights an increased risk of liver cancer in
menopausal women. However, these results only concern this group, which constituted the main population of the study. As researchers point out,
additional studiesespecially among men, are necessary to deepen these links.
However, it is possible to prevent liver disease by improving your lifestyle: adopting a Mediterranean diet, practicing regular physical activity, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption. Regarding drinks, it is advisable to favor waterwhether consumed nature or in the form of tea, coffee or unwells.
