Study Links Heavy Alcohol Use to Increased Liver Disease

A recent study conducted in Kenya has revealed worrying signs that heavy alcohol use is contributing significantly to liver damage. According to the research, a very high proportion of individuals admitted to rehabilitation centers exhibited elevated levels of liver enzymes — including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) — which are biomarkers consistent with alcohol‑induced liver injury.
The findings are especially troubling given the prevalence and potency of unregulated alcoholic drinks in Kenya. A separate public health study found that artisanal spirit drinks like chang’aa, which are commonly consumed in informal settlements like Kibera, contain extremely high ethanol concentrations.This kind of unregulated drinking increases the risk of chronic liver damage, including cirrhosis and fibrosis.
Meanwhile, global health data supports these local concerns: a new Lancet Commission report projects that liver cancer cases in Kenya will more than double by 2050, with a large share of the increase tied to alcohol use. Experts say this should be a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritize prevention and early intervention.
Public health specialists are calling for more widespread screening for liver disease in high-risk groups. They argue that with early detection — using non-invasive tests and liver biomarkers — people with heavy alcohol consumption may receive timely help before irreversible liver damage sets in. Rehabilitation programs could play a stronger role if integrated with regular liver health assessment.