A new study from The University of Texas at Austin has found that short-term changes in diet can improve not only liver health but also brain health.
People with early-stage fatty liver disease who followed a low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diet for just two weeks showed a decrease in certain brain chemicals linked to inflammation and memory issues.
The study focused on people with a condition called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), the most common long-term liver disease in the world.
MASLD affects nearly 38% of adults and can cause problems with memory, focus, and thinking clearly. These issues are believed to be connected to changes in the brain caused by high levels of certain chemicals, including cerebral glutamate and myo-inositol.
In the study, participants had their brain and liver scanned before making any dietary changes. They were then randomly assigned to follow either a low-calorie or a low-carbohydrate diet for two weeks. After the diet, the participants were tested again to see how their liver fat and brain chemicals had changed.
The results were impressive. Almost all participants—97%—saw a drop in liver fat. About 77% had lower levels of glutamate in the brain, and 70% had reduced myo-inositol levels. Both of these brain chemicals, when elevated, can be signs of inflammation and damage that affect memory and brain function.
Professor Andreana Haley, the lead researcher, said she was surprised at how quickly the brain showed signs of improvement. “In just two weeks, we saw measurable changes in brain metabolites. That’s something that hadn’t been clearly shown before,” she said.
With MASLD expected to affect more than half of the world’s adult population by 2040, the study offers a hopeful message. Taking small, manageable steps—like changing your diet for just a short time—could help protect both your liver and your brain.
The study encourages both healthcare professionals and the public to act early when it comes to metabolic health. It shows that it may not take long to start seeing benefits, even when the changes are simple.
Haley added that this was a “proof-of-concept” study and that her team is planning a larger trial to see if there are certain ages or stages of life when these diet changes might have an even bigger impact.
For now, the message is clear: taking care of your liver by eating better may also help keep your brain healthy.
The study is published in Metabolic Brain Disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
