A study published in the U.S. journal "Cell Metabolism" has found that eating too much at each meal affects liver health.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study on the correlation between diet and liver health using experimental mice. The experiment identified two key molecules that affect liver health. One molecule is responsible for storing fat, while the other promotes fat burning and conversion into energy. The study found that when these two molecules complement each other, they can maintain healthy fat levels; when these two molecules are removed from the liver, fat rapidly accumulates in the liver, forming toxic fat and leading to the development of fatty liver. The researchers found that eating too much at each meal, exceeding our energy needs per meal, causes the fat in food to be absorbed by the liver, increasing the burden on these two molecules in the liver. This prevents them from burning and storing energy normally. Over time, this leads to an imbalance in the body's energy storage and consumption, which in turn triggers inflammation, liver damage, and ultimately, death.
Dr. Lazar, the lead researcher, stated that this study proves that overeating not only leads to obesity but also increases the risk of developing liver disease. The study also provides a new direction for treating liver damage caused by overeating.