Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, often called NAFLD, is becoming one of the most common health problems in the world. It happens when too much fat builds up in the liver in people who do not drink much alcohol.
Today, about 30 percent of people globally are affected by this condition. Although it may seem mild at first, NAFLD can lead to serious problems over time, including liver damage, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Because of its growing impact, scientists have been searching for simple and effective ways to manage or even reverse this condition. A recent study has brought new hope by showing that a special type of starch, called resistant starch, may help reduce harmful fat in the liver.
The research was led by Huating Li from Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital and published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The study included 200 people who had been diagnosed with NAFLD. The researchers divided the participants into two groups to compare the effects of different types of starch.
One group was given resistant starch powder made from maize, while the other group received a similar-looking corn starch that did not have resistant properties. Each participant took 20 grams of their assigned starch, mixed with water, twice a day before meals. The study lasted for four months.
At the end of the study, the results were very clear. People who took resistant starch had almost 40 percent lower levels of liver fat, known as liver triglycerides, compared to those in the control group. Triglycerides are a type of fat that can build up in the liver and cause damage over time.
In addition to reduced fat levels, the resistant starch group also showed lower levels of liver enzymes and markers of inflammation. These are important signs because high levels usually indicate that the liver is under stress or being damaged.
Even more interesting, these improvements were seen even after taking weight loss into account, suggesting that the benefits were not only due to losing weight.
To understand how resistant starch works, the researchers also looked at the bacteria living in the participants’ intestines. These bacteria, known as the gut microbiota, play a key role in many aspects of health, including digestion and metabolism.
The study found that people who consumed resistant starch had noticeable changes in their gut bacteria. One important change was a decrease in a type of bacteria called Bacteroides stercoris. This bacteria has been linked to how the body processes fat in the liver. Reducing its levels may help lower fat buildup in the liver.
Resistant starch behaves differently from regular starch. Instead of being broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, it passes through to the large intestine. There, it becomes food for beneficial bacteria.
As these bacteria digest the resistant starch, they produce helpful substances called short-chain fatty acids. These compounds are known to support gut health and may also improve liver function.
One of the most exciting aspects of this study is how simple the treatment is. Unlike strict diets or intense exercise programs, adding resistant starch to daily meals is relatively easy. It can be found in foods such as green bananas, cooked and cooled potatoes, and whole grains. This makes it a practical option that many people could maintain over time.
The findings also highlight the strong connection between gut health and liver health. Scientists are increasingly learning that improving the balance of gut bacteria can have powerful effects on other parts of the body. This could open the door to new ways of treating NAFLD in the future.
Although the results are promising, the researchers note that more studies are needed. Future research will help confirm the long-term benefits of resistant starch and determine the best ways to use it as a treatment.
For now, this study offers a hopeful message. Simple changes in diet may have a big impact on liver health. Along with other healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet and staying active, resistant starch could become an important tool in reducing the burden of fatty liver disease.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about simple habit that could give you a healthy liver, and common diabetes drug that may reverse liver inflammation.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about simple blood test that could detect your risk of fatty liver disease, and results showing this green diet may strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
