With no trick or treating on the cards this year, lots of families will be celebrating Halloween at home instead.
Nevertheless, some reports in the United States suggest that sales of Halloween sweets and chocolate have actually increased there this year versus the same period in 2019, despite the pandemic.
Rebecca West, Liver Nurse Information Manager at the British Liver Trust, says: “This year nobody wants to spoil the fun for children, and I’ll certainly be letting my own enjoy some sugary treats at home this Halloween.
“But it’s still important to keep in mind that eating too much fat and sugar in chocolate and sweets on a regular basis is bad for our health and, in the long term, this can eventually lead to liver disease.”
Being overweight is a risk factor for non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects around one in three adults at an early stage. Over time, NAFLD can sometimes progress to a more serious form of liver disease called non-alcohol related steatohepatitis (NASH) which, in turn, can lead to cirrhosis.
NAFLD is preventable and, in most cases, it can even be reversed if lifestyle changes are made at an early enough stage. The best way to avoid the condition is by eating a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables and taking regular exercise.
Rebecca says: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves as much as possible this Halloween, but please also remember to love your liver - sugary and fatty foods are treats to be enjoyed occasionally, not on a regular basis.”