Health specialists across Nigeria have voiced growing alarm over the increasing consumption of fast foods and ultra-processed meals, warning that this dietary shift is contributing significantly to the country’s rising liver disease burden. Items such as shawarma, instant noodles, sugar-laden sodas, pastries, and heavily processed snacks, once considered occasional indulgences, have now become daily staples for many Nigerians—particularly urban dwellers.

According to medical professionals, this trend poses a serious threat to liver function, potentially leading to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.

The Liver’s Crucial Role in Health

The liver, often dubbed the body’s chemical factory, performs a wide range of essential duties: filtering toxins, processing nutrients, producing bile for digestion, and regulating blood composition. Yet, despite its resilience, it remains highly vulnerable to dietary damage—especially from high-fat, high-sugar foods.

A leading consultant gastroenterologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital recently shed light on the scale of the problem. She explained that while the liver is naturally designed to cope with toxins, persistent exposure to artificial preservatives, trans fats, and excessive sugar burdens the organ, leading to fat accumulation and scarring over time.

“Your liver reflects your lifestyle,” she emphasized. “What you eat today shapes the condition of your liver tomorrow.”

From Shawarma to Soda: Popular But Risky

Across urban Nigeria, processed food options are both affordable and readily available. From roadside shawarma stands to convenience stores selling instant noodles and soft drinks, the country has witnessed a dietary revolution in just a few decades. Unfortunately, this shift has come with health consequences.

Fast foods, particularly those deep-fried or prepared using reused oil, are loaded with trans fats. Sugary beverages contain high-fructose corn syrup and other additives that place additional strain on liver cells. Combined with sedentary lifestyles and high stress levels, these dietary patterns set the stage for liver inflammation and long-term dysfunction.

The gastroenterologist pointed out that some of the most consumed items—such as instant noodles, fried snacks, pastries, and sodas—are notorious for their harmful content. These foods, she said, are “easy to access but dangerous in the long run.”

The Rise of MASLD in Nigeria

Until recently, viral infections like hepatitis B and C were the leading causes of liver disease in Nigeria. But according to recent findings, lifestyle-related liver disorders are now surging. MASLD, formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, has emerged as a silent epidemic in Nigeria, mirroring trends seen in Western nations.

This condition develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, usually without any initial symptoms. If unchecked, it can progress to more severe complications such as fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis (permanent liver damage), and hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer).

“In most cases, liver disease is silent until the damage is irreversible,” the specialist warned. “People assume they’re healthy until symptoms like jaundice or abdominal swelling appear, by which time intervention becomes more complicated.”

Cultural Shift: Traditional Diets Being Replaced

In the past, Nigerian diets were rich in whole grains, fresh vegetables, legumes, and lean proteins. However, increased urbanization, time constraints, and aggressive marketing of processed foods have led to a widespread abandonment of traditional eating habits.

Health experts argue that this cultural shift has replaced nutrient-dense native meals with calorie-dense, low-nutrient fast food. Meals made from fresh okra, fluted pumpkin (ugu), ewedu, or millet porridge are now considered time-consuming or old-fashioned, especially among younger generations.

“Many young professionals no longer have time to cook. They grab a shawarma or soft drink on their way home after a long day,” the consultant observed. “But this convenience comes at a cost.”

Alcohol and Herbal Concoctions: Hidden Liver Risks

Beyond food, other lifestyle habits further compound liver risk. Excessive consumption of both commercial and locally brewed alcoholic drinks—such as ogogoro, palm wine, and kai kai—remains a major contributor to liver damage.

According to specialists, alcohol demands immediate processing by the liver, diverting attention from other toxins and leading to their buildup. Over time, this leads to inflammation and liver failure.

In addition, the growing popularity of herbal concoctions, many of which are unregulated and unmeasured, presents another challenge. Though often perceived as “natural,” these mixtures may contain hepatotoxic substances that damage liver cells.

“I treated a patient with acute hepatitis from an herbal mixture. People assume these drinks are safe, but many contain unlisted ingredients that harm the liver,” the hepatologist shared.

What Nigerians Can Do to Protect Their Liver

Preventing liver disease doesn’t require radical changes—it starts with consistent, informed choices. Nutritionists recommend increasing intake of local, antioxidant-rich produce such as:

• Bitter leaf, fluted pumpkin (ugu), spinach (efo)

• Fruits like pawpaw, watermelon, orange, and lemon

• Whole grains including guinea corn, millet, and brown rice

• Legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas

Healthy fats are also crucial. Rather than animal fats or fried oils, experts recommend nuts, seeds, coconut, and moderate palm oil for their Vitamin E content.

Equally important are cooking methods. Instead of deep-frying, Nigerians are encouraged to grill, steam, or stir-fry meals. Reducing portion sizes, avoiding late-night eating, and prioritizing homemade meals can all support liver health.

Even snacks can be liver-friendly—substituting biscuits or sugary candies with cucumbers, carrots, or groundnuts can help reduce the intake of harmful additives.

Annual Screenings and Health Awareness

Early detection is key to managing liver-related issues. Physicians recommend routine liver function tests and abdominal scans, even in the absence of symptoms. This is especially important for individuals with high-fat diets, alcohol use, or family history of liver disease.

“There’s no harm in checking. Catching liver damage early can save lives,” the expert advised.

She also dismissed a common myth that people with liver disease must avoid all protein. Instead, the focus should be on reducing excessive fats, sugars, and salts.

“A balanced diet remains essential. It’s the unhealthy additives and cooking methods that cause harm—not protein itself,” she clarified.

Looking Ahead: A National Conversation on Nutrition

Public health advocates believe Nigeria needs a broader conversation on nutrition and its impact on chronic illnesses. While communicable diseases remain a national concern, non-communicable conditions like liver disease are rising in tandem with economic growth and urbanization.

Health education campaigns, school curriculums, workplace wellness programs, and better food labeling policies are all necessary steps in reversing this trend. The path to liver health, experts insist, lies in daily decisions made by individuals and reinforced by supportive policies.

As one physician concluded, “What we put on our plate determines our health trajectory. Food isn’t just fuel—it’s medicine. And if we make wise choices, we can preserve not just our livers but our overall well-being.”