Scientists pinpoint exact number of daily alcoholic drinks that can increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease

A large study has determined how many daily alcoholic drinks put you at risk of developing fatal liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is estimated to affect 40% of people worldwide.

It is a potentially life-threatening disease and is caused by excess fat accumulation in the liver that is not caused by alcohol consumption.

Previous studies have found a link between MASLD and an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and liver, breast, and thyroid cancer.

The latest study, conducted by a team from the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, was reviewed. 100 studies highlighting risk factors, prevention and treatment options for MASLD.

Researchers looked at MASLD-related studies published between 2000 and 2025 that included adults aged 18 and over.

The breadth of the research was extensive, with data from 99 articles comprising 46 observational studies, 15 randomized clinical trials, 16 major reviews, 15 reviews, and seven guidelines.

The analysis found that consuming more than two standard drinks a day for women and more than three for men increases your risk of developing the disease.

A ‘standard drink’ is equivalent to three-quarters of a pint of beer, a small glass of wine and 44ml of 40 per cent distilled spirits; For reference, in the UK a standard ‘single’ shot is 25ml.

This means that drinking just three small glasses of wine increases the risk of developing MASLD in men, while drinking just two small glasses of wine increases the risk in women.

writing in diary JAMAthe authors said: ‘First-line treatment includes weight-reducing diet, physical exercise and behavioral changes, including avoiding alcohol.’

New analysis has revealed that being overweight or obese is the ‘most important’ risk factor for the disease.

But other risk factors they identified included high blood pressure, low ‘good cholesterol’ levels and high blood sugar levels.

Other behavioral risk factors included a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and consuming too much sugar.

They determined that this high sugar intake was mostly due to consuming more than one sugar-sweetened beverage per day.

Genetics may also play a role in increased disease risk, such as having inherited PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genes.

Going through menopause was also a risk factor because it lowers your estrogen levels; This hormone generally helps the body regulate fat and sugar.

The problem with MASLD is that it often doesn’t cause any symptoms, causing the condition to go unnoticed, the NHS says.

Symptoms include feeling tired, feeling generally unwell, and vivid pain or discomfort in the abdomen below the right side of the ribs.

He warns that if you think you may have the disease or are at higher risk of developing it, you should see a GP.

MASLD is usually diagnosed after blood tests or scans are done for another cause and symptoms appear in your liver.

However, if your doctor thinks you have this disease, he or she may arrange more blood tests or scans such as ultrasound.

The disease consists of four stages: fatty liver (steatosis), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

The first stage, steatosis, is the stage where there is fat accumulation but there is no damage to the liver yet.

The second stage, NASH, is when fat buildup causes inflammation in the liver but has not yet caused serious damage.

Meanwhile, fibrosis is the stage where there is damage to the liver but it may still be functioning well.

The final stage, cirrhosis, is when irreversible and severe damage occurs to the liver.

The NHS warns this can lead to internal bleeding, liver failure, liver cancer or sepsis.