Abstract:
Consumption of fast food and ultra-processed foods has increased globally over recent decades and is recognized as an important factor in elevating the risk of metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This literature review analyzes the associations between fast food/ultra-processed food intake and disturbances in hepatic lipid metabolism (hepatic steatosis, changes in liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and activation of lipogenesis) based on epidemiological, experimental, and mechanistic evidence. Recent meta-analyses and observational studies indicate that high fast-food or ultra-processed food consumption is associated with a 20–55% increase in NAFLD risk. In parallel, strong biological evidence supports the role of fructose and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in stimulating hepatic de novo lipogenesis and promoting fat accumulation in the liver. The findings highlight the need for public health measures not focused on food fortification, but rather on consumption reduction through regulation, taxation, and information campaigns.
