Doctor Warns: A Common Drink May Harm Your Liver
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A liver surgeon has warned that a popular drink, often seen as harmless, may actually be dangerous to health. The drink is widely enjoyed in Japan and seems like a normal, everyday choice.
According to the surgeon, the drink is more than 90 percent made up of a very strong substance linked to fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease happens when fat builds up in the liver, damaging how it works over time.
The surgeon pointed out that people in Japan often drink this type of drink in large amounts, without realizing the risk. He described it as one of the clearest examples of a drink that looks healthy but is actually harmful.
In many other countries, similar drinks face extra taxation and strict rules on advertising. Taxation means the government charges more money to buy the drink, which can reduce how much people drink. Advertising restrictions limit how companies promote such drinks to the public.
By contrast, Japan currently has fewer restrictions in place. The surgeon's warning is meant to raise public awareness about the hidden risks of this drink and to encourage people to think more carefully before consuming it regularly.
He hopes that greater understanding of the link between this drink and liver damage will help people make safer choices and protect their long-term health.
Vocabulary10 words
- liver
- a big organ that cleans the blood
- substance
- a specific material or chemical
- fatty liver disease
- a harmful buildup of fat in the liver
- taxation
- extra money charged by the government
- advertising
- promoting a product to sell it
- restrictions
- rules that limit something
- public awareness
- when many people understand a problem
- consuming
- eating or drinking something
- harmful
- causing damage or danger
- long-term health
- how healthy someone stays over many years
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Quiz
Answer key
1. More than 90% 2. Fatty liver disease 3. Japan has fewer restrictions
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A liver surgeon has warned that a popular drink may actually be _____ to health.
The drink is more than 90 percent made up of a strong _____ linked to fatty liver disease.
Fatty liver disease happens when fat builds up in the _____.
People in Japan often drink this type of drink in large _____.
He described it as a drink that looks _____ but is actually harmful.
In many other countries, similar drinks face extra _____.
Strict rules also limit _____ of such drinks.
Japan currently has fewer _____ in place.
The surgeon's warning aims to raise public _____ about hidden risks.
He hopes people will make safer _____ for their long-term health.
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