India leads in liver disease deaths as lifestyle choices take toll

By Admin

30 Jun, 2025

India has now become the global epicenter of liver disease fatalities, recording over 2.68 lakh deaths every year a staggering 18 percent of the world’s total. What alarms health experts even more is the shifting demographic: younger adults, including non-drinkers, are increasingly becoming victims of liver diseases not caused by alcohol but by modern lifestyle choices.

A New Epidemic: MASLD on the Rise

At the heart of this crisis lies Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), recently renamed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). This name change reflects its deep ties to metabolic issues like obesity, insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes all of which are spiking in India at alarming rates.

Dr. Aditya Verma, a renowned gastroenterologist, highlighted this connection: “India is facing a silent epidemic of liver disease, and much of it is driven by what we eat. Everyday food choices can either fuel liver damage or support healing.”

The Westernisation of Indian Diets

Experts attribute the surge in liver disease to the Westernisation of Indian eating habits. A growing dependence on sugary beverages, fried foods, and processed snacks, combined with sedentary lifestyles, irregular sleep, stress, and rising obesity, is putting immense pressure on the liver. Further compounding the issue is the unregulated use of medications and dietary supplements, which can also damage the liver over time.

A Silent Threat

One of the most dangerous aspects of liver disease is its silent progression. In early stages, it often shows no symptoms, allowing it to silently progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. When signs like fatigue, swelling, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss finally appear, the damage is usually advanced and harder to treat.

Early Detection is Key

Health professionals strongly advocate for routine liver screenings and function tests. Catching liver disease in its early stages is not only possible but also life-saving. The good news is that lifestyle-induced liver damage is largely reversible if caught in time.

Reversing the Damage with Better Choices

Experts stress that by making mindful lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly reduce liver disease risk. Key steps include:

• Eating a balanced, home-cooked diet
  
  

• Incorporating daily physical activity
  
  

• Maintaining a healthy weight
  
  

• Drinking adequate water
  
  

• Reducing or avoiding alcohol
  
  

• Managing stress levels
  
  

• Getting sufficient, quality sleep
  
  

Hope Lies in Prevention

The liver is a resilient organ, capable of regenerating itself. With early awareness, timely action, and healthier lifestyle habits, India can stem the tide of this growing health crisis. By empowering individuals to take charge of their health, we can safeguard future generations from a disease that is largely preventable and ensure that the liver continues to do its life-sustaining work in silence.