“😱Soft Drinks Can Damage Kids’ Livers! AIIMS Doctor Raises Red Flag”
- MediaFx
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
TL;DR:Kids who drink a lot of soft drinks and sugary juices are at risk of developing fatty liver disease (NAFLD), warns Dr. Saurabh Sethi—an AIIMS-trained liver specialist. Too much sugar, especially fructose, gets converted into fat in the liver. If ignored, it can lead to cirrhosis or even a transplant. With obesity on the rise, this silent condition is showing up in children much earlier. The solution is simple—cut sugary drinks, eat healthy, stay active, and keep an eye on liver health.😬
Full Story (Youthful, Conversational Indian English)
Big warning for parents and students—an AIIMS-trained doctor has revealed that soft drinks are quietly damaging children’s health. According to him, #softdrinks and sugary juices are pushing kids towards #fattyliver, a disease once seen mostly in adults.
Here’s the science: sugar has two parts—glucose and fructose. Our body uses glucose for energy, but fructose is harder to process. The liver ends up converting it into fat, which piles up inside the organ. Over time, this becomes Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Doctors are now seeing this in children as young as 8 or 10.
The scary part? In India, studies show 17% of children already have fatty liver. Among obese children, this number shoots up to 70–75%. In cities like Mumbai, experts say almost half of obese children and even one in five normal-weight kids are affected. If not treated, it can progress into cirrhosis, liver failure, and even need for a transplant.🚨
Why is this happening?
Our diets today are loaded with processed foods, sugary colas, and packaged juices. Kids are spending more time on screens and less on outdoor activities. Childhood obesity is rising fast—cities like Lucknow report nearly 30% of kids aged 6–12 are overweight, much higher than the national average. With that, diseases like diabetes, gallstones, and fatty liver are showing up far earlier than before.
What can we do?
Cut out sugary drinks: Replace colas, energy drinks, and bottled juices with water, buttermilk, or fresh fruit
Eat healthier: Include local foods like ragi, jowar, and more vegetables in daily meals.
Get moving: Encourage children to play outside, dance, cycle, or take part in sports. Screen time needs to be balanced with activity.
Check early: For kids who are overweight or have a family history, doctors advise liver enzyme tests and ultrasounds. Early action can prevent damage.
MediaFx People’s Take
This is not just about individual choices, it’s also about the food industry pushing unhealthy, sugary products on families. Rich companies make profits, while common people pay with their children’s health. Schools, communities, and governments must work together to make healthy food affordable and educate families. The future of our kids shouldn’t be sold for the price of a soft drink.✊👨👩👧👦
