Experts Warn Energy Drinks Linked to Liver Damage in Indian Youth

New Delhi (IANS): Leading specialists marked World Liver Day this Sunday by warning that excessive energy drink consumption is now a primary cause of liver damage among India’s youth.

Doctors noted an accelerating trend as young patients increasingly display early signs of liver disease.

While companies aggressively market these beverages as performance enhancers, the drinks often pack caffeine levels far beyond recommended limits. They also contain substances like taurine and herbal stimulants that the liver must struggle to metabolize. Medical experts stated that this biochemical overload eventually impairs liver function.

Physicians also cautioned against mixing energy drinks with alcohol. Caffeine masks alcohol’s sedative effects, tricking individuals into drinking more than they realize.

“Energy drinks, alcohol, and high-sugar beverages serve as the three major contributors to liver dysfunction,” said Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI). He noted that while alcohol remains a leading cause of disease, sugary drinks fuel fatty liver disease. He added that once damage reaches a certain point, only a liver transplant can save the patient’s life.

A report in BMJ Case Reports recently documented acute hepatitis in a healthy individual following excessive energy drink intake. The study linked the condition to high levels of niacin (Vitamin B3), which becomes toxic to the liver in large doses.

Research shows that high sugar, caffeine, and chemical additives trigger fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in liver cells. Experts added that frequent consumption—especially alongside alcohol or poor diets—significantly raises the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Studies suggest that NAFLD now affects nearly 25–30% of the urban population, including a growing number of adolescents.

“We are witnessing a demographic shift,” said Dr. Neerav Goyal, President-Elect of LTSI and Head of Liver Transplant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. “Patients aged 20–30 now report conditions we once saw only in older adults. Many young people consider these beverages a normal part of their lifestyle, unaware of the risks.”