According to a study presented at the International Liver Congress 2013, alcohol consumption and being overweight considerably increase the risk of developing liver disease, especially in women. In a study of 107,000 women conducted by Dr Paul Trembling and Professor William Rosenberg of the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive Health in London, the participants were classified according to their body mass index and their alcohol consumption.
The researchers found that, compared to a thin woman who does not drink, women who drink alcohol increase the risk of developing a disease by 1.8 times. Those who do not drink but are overweight increase it by 1.7. And for women who combine alcohol and obesity, the verdict is clear: the risk of serious liver disease, even fatal, is three times greater. The fairer sex is particularly affected because they are twice as sensitive as men to liver damage linked to alcohol. According to the researchers, these findings will have a significant impact on how to help millions of people around the world.
>> To read also: Alcohol: one in 10 French people drink it every day
Stroke: a glass of alcohol a day reduces the risk
