Health professionals in Nigeria have issued a stern warning over the growing consumption of fast foods such as shawarma, instant noodles, sugary sodas, and processed snacks, cautioning that such dietary habits could lead to severe liver damage.
In a detailed interview with PUNCH Healthwise, leading physicians and nutritionists raised the alarm about the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-induced liver diseases in the country, particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as fatty liver disease.
Dr. Ganiyat Oyeleke, a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, explained that the liver, a vital organ responsible for detoxification and metabolism, is under increasing threat from poor nutritional choices.
“The frequent consumption of deep-fried foods, processed meats, sweetened beverages, and snacks packed with saturated fats, salt, and sugar overloads the liver and promotes fat buildup,” Oyeleke said. “Once this process begins, it can escalate to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.”
She singled out shawarma, instant noodles, sodas, and sugary pastries as some of the most commonly consumed culprits. Their popularity among urban dwellers and busy professionals, she noted, is creating a silent public health crisis.
The doctor also dispelled the myth that liver disease is only caused by hepatitis or alcohol, pointing out that MASLD is now a leading cause globally and increasingly common in Nigeria due to processed food consumption.
“What many people don’t realise is that liver damage often progresses without symptoms. By the time signs like jaundice appear, much of the damage is already done,” she warned.
To combat this, Oyeleke advised a return to traditional diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. She recommended plant-based fats over animal fats and encouraged moderation in alcohol consumption, noting that both industrial and local brews such as ogogoro and palm wine can be damaging when abused.
Odunayo Babatunde, a registered nutritionist, echoed these concerns, warning that many Nigerians are unknowingly harming their livers through everyday food choices.
“You don’t need to be an alcoholic to suffer liver disease anymore. Excess salt, sugar, and saturated fat are doing just as much damage,” she said.
She called for better meal planning, more awareness, and lifestyle adjustments, including choosing grilled over fried foods and replacing processed snacks with natural options like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Both experts urged Nigerians to undergo routine liver function tests and abdominal scans to detect early signs of liver issues.
“It’s time we understood that food is medicine,” Oyeleke concluded. “Our liver health depends largely on what we put on our plates every day.”
More Stories
Lagos Hospital Under Fire as Family Alleges Scissors Left in Patient’s Body
I’ll Ban Resident Doctors, Consultants from Striking if I Become PM —Kemi Badenoch
Female Student Abandons Newborn in Kwara Hospital