New research indicates that even occasional binge drinking can significantly heighten the risk of serious liver conditions. Just one instance of heavy drinking per month could increase the likelihood of advanced liver fibrosis—especially among those with metabolic liver disease—by three times, according to findings from the University of Southern California (USC).
Advanced liver fibrosis is a severe stage of chronic liver disease characterized by a major buildup of scar tissue resulting from long-lasting inflammation, as defined by the American Liver Foundation.
Medical professionals note that consuming large quantities of alcohol over a short period can lead to liver damage and inflammation. Dr. Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist at USC, mentioned that many patients inquire about safe drinking levels, often thinking about their alcohol consumption in terms of average weekly intake.
The study, which analyzed data spanning six years from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving over 8,000 adults, aimed to understand how drinking patterns could influence liver disease risk compared to the overall amount of alcohol consumed.
The focus was particularly on those diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a fatty liver disease related to metabolic health issues. Research suggests that about 25% to 30% of U.S. adults may be affected by MASLD, which is commonly associated with obesity and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Interestingly, a significant number of adults in the study admitted to binge drinking occasionally, with nearly 16% of individuals with MASLD reporting this habit. The researchers discovered that this pattern of drinking—defined as four or more drinks in a day for women and five or more for men at least once a month—was linked to a more than threefold increase in the risk of advanced liver fibrosis compared to spreading out the same amount of alcohol over a longer duration.
“The pattern of drinking matters a lot,” emphasized Lee, noting that episodic heavy drinking is prevalent among U.S. adults. The study found that younger individuals and men were more inclined to binge drink, and the extent of drinking in each episode correlated with increased liver scarring.
Published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study does have some limitations—being observational means it can’t definitively assert that binge drinking causes advanced liver fibrosis. It also relied on participants’ self-reported drinking history, which can sometimes be flawed.
Moreover, the findings primarily pertain to individuals with MASLD, so they may not necessarily apply across the board to all demographics. Lee added that further longitudinal studies would be beneficial to explore the connection between drinking patterns and liver health over time.
Dr. Julian Braithwaite, from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, echoed the study’s findings, insisting that the manner in which people drink significantly impacts their health. He pointed out that binge drinking, even if done infrequently, poses substantial risks while moderate consumption is generally perceived as lower risk.
Dr. Amanda Berger, senior vice president at the Distilled Spirits Council, emphasized the seriousness of alcohol-related health problems. She urges individuals to consult their health providers to understand their risks better, particularly regarding drinking habits. The guidelines suggest that moderation—up to one drink per day for women and two for men—is essential.
