Does Alcohol Always Cause Fatty Liver? People abroad drink a lot of alcohol, yet their livers remain healthy. In India, even those who don't drink alcohol can experience liver problems. Let's explain why.

How do Europeans stay healthy despite drinking so much alcohol?

Why Europeans Tolerate Alcohol Better Than Indians: The relationship between humans and alcohol hasn't always been straightforward. Culture, social habits, and body composition all play a role. Many of us consume alcohol in moderation, but a large population in India suffers from fatty liver. The question often arises: why do Europeans drink more alcohol than we do, yet why do they suffer less from it? Dr. Harsh Vyas has shared an interesting insight on this topic.

Information shared on social media 

In a video shared on Instagram, he compared the liver ultrasound reports of a 37-year-old Italian man and a 37-year-old Indian man. Surprisingly, the European man's liver appeared healthier, while the Indian man, who drank alcohol two or three times a week, showed fatty changes in his liver. According to Dr. Vyas, there could be several reasons for this. The first reason is genetics. He explained that Europeans have higher activity levels of alcohol-degrading enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase. This means that the toxins produced by alcohol are eliminated from their bodies more quickly. However, in Asian populations, these enzymes are less effective, allowing these harmful substances to remain in the body for longer and be eliminated more slowly.

Lifestyle also plays an important role.

Another major factor is diet. The European diet includes complex carbohydrates, healthy fats in the form of fish and seafood, olive oil, and adequate protein. This means their diet is balanced and nutritious. In comparison, the Indian diet often contains a high amount of refined carbohydrates, while healthy fats and proteins are relatively low. This difference can affect liver health. The third important aspect is physical activity. The doctor said that his Italian patient used to walk 5 to 6 kilometers every day and also exercised for 30 to 40 minutes. Meanwhile, in India, a large number of people are unable to exercise regularly, and even walking 5 kilometers every day becomes difficult.

Dr. Vyas says that even though Europeans drink alcohol, their lifestyle is balanced and active. A good diet, regular exercise, and favorable genetic factors help repair the damage to the body. However, if the lifestyle is unbalanced, liver problems can increase even without alcohol.