Doctor explains why weekend drinking does not spare liver

Drinking only on weekends does not spare the liver from lasting harm, according to a liver transplant surgeon, who has dismissed the popular belief that five sober days make up for two days of heavy alcohol intake.

Dr Swasthik KS, consultant in gastro and liver transplant surgery at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, told HT Lifestyle that many people who restrict drinking to weekends consider themselves responsible drinkers, yet the liver "disagrees" with that assumption.

Binge pattern causes real damage

According to the surgeon, weekend drinkers often consume large volumes of alcohol within a short space of time, a pattern known as binge drinking. He explained that the liver struggles to process such quantities quickly, producing a toxic compound called acetaldehyde that damages liver cells and triggers measurable inflammation within hours. Repeating this pattern every week, he said, effectively delivers weekly injury to the organ.

No warning signs, surgeon cautions

Because the liver lacks pain receptors, early-stage problems such as fatty liver, inflammation or fibrosis can develop without any noticeable symptoms, the surgeon said. He noted that most patients diagnosed with advanced liver disease had felt perfectly well only months earlier, and that by the time fatigue, jaundice or abdominal swelling appear, the damage is often irreversible.

Where binge drinking begins

The surgeon said the threshold for binge drinking differs by sex: three or more standard drinks in one sitting counts as a binge for women, while four or more applies to men. He added that people frequently lose track of their intake, particularly when treating weekends as a licence to drink more freely.

Early damage can still be reversed

Despite the risks, the surgeon said the liver can recover if drinking stops early enough, describing the organ as "remarkably forgiving" in its initial stages. However, he cautioned that it gives no warning before that capacity to heal is lost.

Note: This article is based on user-generated content from social media, and the claims have not been independently verified. It is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should consult a doctor with any questions about a medical condition.