Common drinking habit may quietly triple risk of advanced liver condition

Just one episode per month was associated with a threefold increase in advanced liver fibrosis in people with underlying metabolic liver disease, according to research from the University of Southern California (USC).

Advanced liver fibrosis is a condition that occurs in the advanced stage of chronic liver disease, marked by a buildup of significant scar tissue due to chronic, long-term inflammation, according to the American Liver Foundation.

The researchers aimed to determine whether the pattern of drinking affected the risk of liver disease, compared to the total amount consumed.

The study analyzed six years of data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included more than 8,000 adults, according to the study's press release. 

The researchers focused on those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which is a fatty liver disease linked to metabolic health problems. 

More than half of the adults in the study reported occasional heavy drinking, including nearly 16% of those with MASLD. 

Occasional heavy drinking (four or more drinks in one day for women and five or more drinks for men, at least once each month) was linked to at least triple the chance of advanced liver fibrosis, compared to the same amount spread over a longer period of time, the researchers found.

Younger adults and men were more likely to engage in occasional binge-drinking, the study found. The more drinks consumed during each session, the greater the liver scarring.

The findings were published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 

"This pattern of episodic heavy drinking is especially bad when compared to spreading out alcohol consumption over a longer period of time."

It also relied on the participants' self-reported alcohol consumption, which could be subject to inaccuracies.

Additionally, the findings were primarily linked to people with MASLD and may not apply to all populations.

"This was a cross-sectional study, so longitudinal studies that examine the risk of liver-related events and also potential dynamic drinking would be desirable," Lee said.

"With more than half of adults reporting some episodic heavy drinking, this issue deserves further attention from both physicians and researchers to help better understand, prevent and treat liver disease."

Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, said the study highlights that "how you drink matters."

Dr. Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, provided the below statement to Fox News Digital. 

"Adults who choose to drink should do so moderately, in line with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend adults limit alcohol beverages. The scientific report that informed these recommendations defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men."