Hey there, if you’re a guy between 18 and 20 and carrying some extra weight, listen up! There’s a big study from Sweden that says being overweight at this age might spell trouble for your liver down the road.

Here’s the scoop: Over 44,000 young men were followed from their draft into the military back in 1969-1970, all the way up to 2009. Turns out, the ones who were overweight back then were 64% more likely to have serious liver issues later on.

Dr. Hannes Hagström, who led the study at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, pointed out that these guys probably had liver fat buildup (steatosis) already or developed it during the study.

During the research, 393 of these men ended up with severe liver problems, like reduced liver function or cirrhosis. And get this – those who were overweight back in their youth, about 7% of the group, were at a higher risk.

But here’s the kicker: It’s not just about drinking too much. Dr. Hagström found that even if these guys weren’t heavy drinkers, being overweight still upped their risk for liver disease.

So, yeah, we all know booze can mess with your liver, but this study’s saying carrying extra pounds adds to the risk, too. Dr. Hagström even pointed out that the guys who drank the most, like over 3.5 bottles of wine a week, were at the highest risk.

Think about it – your liver’s like a filter for your body, and if it’s already under strain from fat or alcohol, it’s gonna struggle. So, take care of yourself now, and your liver will thank you later!