You don't have to drink alcohol to damage your liver: Doctor reveals 9 unexpected factors that could be putting it at risk - The Times of India

What the report says

The Times of India reported on July 20, 2026, that liver damage is not only linked to alcohol use and can be influenced by routine lifestyle, diet, medication and environmental exposures. The report cited Dr Pramod Kumar D A, senior consultant in hepatology and liver transplant medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, who warned that modern liver disease is increasingly associated with repeated everyday choices, including unhealthy diets, poor sleep, unnecessary supplements, toxins and common medicines.

According to the article, refined fructose in sweetened drinks, packaged juices, cereals, flavoured yoghurt, sauces and processed snacks can be processed by the liver and converted into fat, potentially contributing to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The report also highlighted the risk of accidentally taking too much acetaminophen, or paracetamol, when several cold, fever or pain medicines are used together.

The Times of India listed other possible stressors: herbal products such as kava and comfrey, excessive vitamin A supplementation, chronic poor sleep, exposure to volatile chemicals from paint, insecticides, aerosol sprays and strong cleaners, secondhand smoke, hidden trans fats in some processed foods, and frequent dehydration. It noted that the liver is involved in filtering blood, breaking down medicines, storing nutrients, regulating cholesterol and helping digest fats.

The article’s practical guidance included reading medicine labels, avoiding unneeded herbal supplements, choosing whole fruits over sugary drinks, maintaining a regular seven-to-nine-hour sleep pattern, ventilating rooms during chemical use, drinking enough water, limiting processed foods, staying active and seeking health checks when living with obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol. The broader message is that liver disease may develop quietly, making preventive habits important before symptoms appear.