A new study finds daily alcohol intake and binge drinking raise the risk of liver-related mortality, but following a healthy diet and exercising offer significant protection.
Could healthy eating and regular exercise provide life-saving protection from alcohol-related liver disease?
A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology suggests the answer is yes, even for heavy or binge drinkers.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 60,000 U.S. adults and found daily alcohol intake at any level — and binge drinking — were associated with an increased risk of liver-related mortality.
But the results also showed following a healthy diet and increasing physical activity lowered the odds.
The benefit was especially strong among binge drinkers where
· Regular physical activity reduced the risk of liver-related death by 69%
· And a healthy diet reduced the risk by 84%
Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and plant-based proteins—and lower in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and alcohol—offered the most protection.
The authors say lifestyle habits – including diet and exercise — should be closely examined when screening for alcohol-related health problems.
In the U.S., more than half of adults over 18 years of age regularly consume alcohol, and approximately 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year.
Source: Journal of Hepatology
Author Affiliations: Indiana University School of Medicine, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center
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