The man drank up to 3 liters of orange juice daily while maintaining a healthy weight and exercising, yet he developed severe liver damage and now needs medication and a strict diet. His case shows that even an active lifestyle cannot protect the liver from the effects of excessive juice.

Dr. Doan Du Manh of the Vietnam Association of Vascular Diseases explained that fruit juice contains high levels of natural sugars, mainly fructose, which is metabolized primarily in the liver. Fructose is processed differently from glucose, so it puts a heavier load on the liver.

He added that when sugar intake exceeds the body’s energy needs, the liver converts the excess into fat, leading to fatty liver disease even in people who are not obese and do not drink alcohol. The liver’s conversion of surplus sugar into fat can happen silently over time.

The accumulated fat can cause liver inflammation, impair liver function, and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, and cardiovascular disease. These complications often develop without obvious early symptoms, making early detection difficult.

Medical experts advise against using fruit juice as a daily water substitute and recommend plain water and whole fruits instead. Choosing water and eating whole fruits helps keep sugar intake lower and retains dietary fiber.