A deadly form of liver disease is striking people who never drink alcohol in record numbers and most have no idea they have it.
What the new numbers show
Around 1.3 billion people worldwide were living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in 2023. That is a 143 percent jump since 1990.
Experts now project the figure could reach 1.8 billion by 2050. The condition was formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Why non-drinkers are at risk
MASLD is driven by obesity, high blood sugar, insulin resistance and sedentary lifestyles – not alcohol. Excess fat builds up in the liver and can quietly progress to inflammation, scarring, cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Doctors are seeing more cases in young adults in their 20s and 30s who have never touched alcohol. Even people with normal body weight can develop a lean form of the disease.
The silent danger
Most people feel no symptoms for years. Routine blood tests often look normal until significant damage has already occurred. Many only discover the problem during unrelated scans or health checks.
What’s driving the surge
Rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, combined with diets high in sugar and ultra-processed foods plus less physical activity are the main forces.
High fasting blood sugar is the biggest contributor to the disease’s health burden, followed by high body mass index.
What can help
Early detection through ultrasound or specialized scans, modest weight loss of 5-10 percent, better blood sugar control and regular movement can reverse or slow the condition in many cases.
Doctors urge people with excess weight, diabetes or metabolic issues to discuss liver screening even if they do not drink. The message is clear: liver disease is no longer just a problem for heavy drinkers.
