New Delhi:Leading specialists on Sunday warned that excessive consumption of energy drinks is emerging as a leading cause of liver damage among India's youth, on the occasion of the 'World Liver Day'.

Doctors warned that the trend is accelerating, with young patients increasingly showing early signs of liver disease.

Energy drinks are aggressively marketed to young consumers as performance enhancers and fatigue relievers but these drinks often contain caffeine levels far exceeding recommended daily limits, along with substances such as taurine and herbal stimulants, which the liver must metabolize.Over time, this biochemical overload can impair liver function, medical experts said.

Doctors also warned against the increasingly popular trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. The stimulant effect of caffeine can mask the sedative effects of alcohol, leading individuals to consume more alcohol than they realise.

“Three major contributors to liver dysfunction are energy drinks, alcohol, and high-sugar beverages...

Alcohol continues to be a leading cause of liver disease, and sugary drinks contribute to fatty liver disease," said Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI), New Delhi.

Source:Ndtv