How Drinking Alcohol Affects Liver Health with NASH

Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It helps digest food, stores energy, and removes harmful toxins. However, consuming alcohol can seriously harm your liver.

If you have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—a serious liver condition—it is crucial to understand how alcohol and NASH interact. Understanding this relationship is vital for maintaining your long-term health.¹

How alcohol affects the liver

When you drink alcohol, your liver works hard to break it down. This process creates harmful chemicals that can damage liver cells. Over time, drinking too much alcohol can cause:¹

• Inflammation in the liver (alcoholic hepatitis)
• The buildup of scar tissue (fibrosis)
• Serious conditions like permanent scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure

Your liver can repair itself to a point, but heavy or frequent drinking makes this repair difficult. This is why many people who maintain heavy drinking habits develop alcohol-related liver disease.^1,2

Alcohol-related liver disease vs. NASH

Alcohol-related liver disease happens because of drinking large amounts of alcohol over time. It usually starts with fat buildup, often called alcohol-associated liver disease. If drinking continues, this fat buildup can progress to fibrosis and then to cirrhosis.²

NASH is different. It is a type of fatty liver disease that is not caused by alcohol. Instead, it is linked to health conditions like:

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome

People with NASH experience liver inflammation and liver damage along with fat buildup. While this is similar to alcohol-related liver disease, alcohol is not the original cause.³

Doctors can tell the difference between these conditions by asking about your drinking habits and performing diagnostic tests.^2,3

Can alcohol make NASH worse?

Research shows that alcohol may increase the risk of fibrosis and could worsen liver function for people with NASH. Even though alcohol is not the cause, it still puts significant stress on your liver.

If your liver is already inflamed or damaged from NASH, alcohol may speed up the progression of liver damage. This increases the risk of serious problems like cirrhosis and liver failure.^4,5

Furthermore, recent studies show there is no “safe” amount of alcohol consumption. A 2020 study found that even light drinking is not safe for those with liver problems.⁵

In addition, alcohol consumption can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. These 2 chronic health conditions are closely linked to the severity of NASH.⁴

Should people with NASH change their drinking habits?

Yes, doctors advise people with NASH to avoid alcohol entirely. Some experts say abstaining is the best way to protect your organ health. Not drinking alcohol can help:^5,6

• Slow the progression of liver damage
• Improve your overall health
• Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications

If you find it hard to stop or cut back, talk to your doctor. They can help you find resources to quit, such as support groups and counseling.¹

Talk to your doctor about alcohol and NASH

If you are living with NASH, you must take extra steps to protect your liver. Examples of healthy lifestyle changes for NASH include:^4-6

• Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Managing conditions, like obesity and type 2 diabetes
• Avoiding alcohol completely

Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any specific questions about alcohol and NASH.