Diet drinks

Hi everyone. My husband gave up alcohol 2 years ago due to diagnosis of Fibrosis F3. He started drinking Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi to help stay off the booze. I’m worried this may be damaging his liver as he drinking approx 6 cans a day. I have pointed it out to him but he gets annoyed saying he’s stopped drinking and now he’s not allowed diet drinks. Any advice? Will it be safe to drink the diet soda? Thanks everyone.

[MuiLu]

You are quite right to let him know about drinking diet drinks in abundance, but unless he's got a problem with his liver still, whilst drinking these drinks. He has nothing to worry about. Saying that I have a fatty liver and I drink fizzy diet drinks but I also compensate with alot of water in the day, I would say i drink as much water as I do fizzy drinks. The only problem with these fizzy drinks that are not diet, is a can of fizz can hold up to 8 sugar cubes per tin. And there is something in the bubbles that makes your body hold the fat on your body. Told by my specialist Dietician.

[nash2 Partner]

It is really a step along the journey. Great to get off the alcohol. Whether the diet drinks are harmful is not really known for sure but remember that everything we eat will have to be processed by the liver and artificial sweeteners are a chemical the body doesn't have a use for and has to destroy. That means it is a workload for the liver and a healthy liver probably manages but a sick one maybe not. The smart move is to avoid things that make the liver work harder. If he can appreciate that and wants to live as long as possible, perhaps over time he can cut down on things like that as well. We have a hard time between those things that we like and those that are bad for us but we can choose once we realize the value. You probably can't nag him into it but if he understands it as a choice between perhaps living longer and better or not he may choose to change. It would also be possible to cut down over time which works for some. Best

Wayne

[blackiesnoopdog]

Water with a twist of Lemon is the best thing to drink. Stay away from Regular or diet drinks..they will KILL YOU!

[Herman7275]

NO get off the soft drinks, diet or otherwise are terrible for the gut and other organs, water and black coffee or tea is only drink left. I have been drinking water and coffee for over 2 yrs; best for your health and weight control.....Ron

[CirroShis]

Research has shown none of these beverages are good no matter the brand or whether diet or regular "numerous studies have found a link between drinking too much diet soda and having serious health conditions, including diabetes, fatty liver, dementia, heart disease, and stroke."- You're right to warn him of the dangers and there are dangers. UCLA Health (UCLA Center for Human Nutrition is at the forefront of clinical practice and nutrition) research(-Drinking soda linked to many adverse health conditions: Sugary beverages like soda are linked to a long list of adverse health effects, starting with obesity, poor blood sugar control and diabetes. Recent studies have found an association with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Research shows that having as little as one soda per day measurably increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. And diet sodas, which have been found to increase hunger and disrupt metabolism, are not any better. All the best. Have you heard about AlAnon for families of alcoholics - founded by the wifes of the founders of AA.

D/Canada

[Olivergus]

Please get him to stop the diet soda ASAP! It's worse than occasional light alcohol consumption! I drank diet soda daily for 20 years and ended up with stage 4 fibrosis, which is early cirrhosis. I gave up sugar and alcohol but wasn't making progress with my liver enzymes. I finally decided that diet soda might be the problem so I gave it up completely. I almost immediately lost the last 10 lbs that I couldn't lose before. Two years later my fibrosis has improved to stage 2 and my weight has been steadily in a healthy range. I eat healthy but still have occasional treats and alcohol in moderation.