Health The Silent Epidemic: How Lifestyle Is Fueling a Surge in Liver Disease in India Authored by : Ashima Sharda Mahindra Updated Jul 13, 2025, 18:00 IST The liver is one of the few organs capable of regeneration, but it cannot heal itself without support. It is time to stop taking it for granted and, through conscious, daily choices, try to reverse the tide of lifestyle-related liver disease and protect not just individual health but the well-being of our entire nation.

Doctors say one of the reasons behind a significant surge in liver disease is driven by eating patterns

Liver disease has been spreading silently, like an epidemic, across India, claiming lives and putting a severe strain on the healthcare system. According to experts, liver disease, which was once mostly associated with excessive alcohol consumption, is now even affecting a growing number of young adults and non-drinkers alike, signalling a disturbing shift in the risk factors.

India records a staggering 268,580 liver disease deaths annually, accounting for over 18 per cent of all liver-related deaths worldwide, making it the highest contributor globally. “While alcohol-induced cirrhosis still plays a role, the real game-changer is the rise of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Recently reclassified as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), this condition reflects a deeper connection to metabolic disorders, particularly those rooted in our modern lifestyle,” Dr Manoj Shrivastav, Programme Director and Consultant, liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic, told Times Now.

A lifestyle under scrutiny

So, what has changed? Dr Aditya Verma, a consultant gastroenterologist, says one of the reasons behind a significant surge in liver disease is driven by eating patterns. “Everyday food choices can either fuel liver damage or support healing,” he said, adding, “Urbanisation, long working hours, sedentary routines, and a shift from traditional diets to processed, calorie-dense food have created a perfect storm for liver damage.”

According to Dr Verma, common culprits behind this rise include:

Processed and sugary foods

Frequent consumption of fried snacks, soft drinks, and packaged meals floods the liver with sugar and unhealthy fats, storing them as fat in the liver.

Lack of exercise

Spending long hours sitting at desks or in front of screens, combined with minimal exercise, reduces your body’s ability to burn fat.

Chronic stress

An often overlooked part is high stress levels and irregular sleep cycles, which disrupt metabolic function and lead to poor dietary habits.

Neglected metabolic conditions

Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are not just cardiovascular risks, as they are deeply intertwined with liver damage.

Overuse of medication

The liver is responsible for processing medications and supplements. Excessive or unsupervised use – especially of over-the-counter painkillers or herbal remedies – overburdens and harms the liver.

Worrying, silent progression of the disease

Doctors say one of the most dangerous aspects of liver disease is its asymptomatic early stage, as mostly, fatty liver disease develops quietly, with no noticeable signs until significant damage has been done, ranging from inflammation and fibrosis to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

So, it is important to stay alert to early warning signs like fatigue, unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or jaundice. “Early detection can make all the difference,” said Dr Verma.

Prevention is the key

Doctors say liver damage, especially when caused by lifestyle factors, is often reversible in its early stages. A few consistent changes that go a long way include: