Alcohol may not be sole cause of Beethoven’s bad liver

An autopsy carried out after Ludwig van Beethoven’s death in 1827 found his liver was “beset with nodules the size of a bean”. Now researchers say the cause may not have been alcohol consumption alone, with a genetic analysis revealing the great composer experienced a hepatitis B infection and was at high risk of liver disease. Tristan Begg, first author of the research from the University of Cambridge and published in the journal Current Biology, said Beethoven had been sensitive about suggestions he was a drunkard. Begg and his colleagues studied eight locks of hair attributed to the German composer and pianist to shed light on his health problems.