Fatty liver disease affects millions of people and is becoming more common as rates of obesity and diabetes continue to rise.
Many people have no symptoms in the early stages, but over time the disease can progress to liver inflammation, scarring and liver failure if it is not controlled.
Scientists know that diet plays a major role in fatty liver disease, but they are still learning which foods help and which may cause harm.
New research from Edith Cowan University offers fresh clues by studying two nutrients that have become popular for different reasons.
The research was published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. It examined ellagic acid, a natural compound found in fruits and nuts, and inulin, a fiber supplement widely used to support digestive health.
Ellagic acid is found naturally in pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and walnuts. It has attracted scientific interest because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which may help protect organs from long-term damage.
The researchers tested these nutrients in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, an advanced form of fatty liver disease. They discovered that ellagic acid helped protect the liver and reduced signs of disease, making it a promising candidate for future research.
However, the findings for inulin were surprising. Although inulin is commonly marketed as a prebiotic that supports healthy gut bacteria, the supplement increased body weight, raised blood sugar and worsened liver damage when given on its own in this animal model.
The scientists believe these harmful effects may have resulted from changes in the gut microbiome. This shows that the health effects of dietary supplements can vary depending on the disease being studied and the overall balance of nutrients.
The authors stressed that people should not stop eating foods naturally rich in fiber because of this study. The findings relate to a specific supplement tested under experimental conditions, not to a balanced diet that naturally contains fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
More research involving people will be needed to confirm whether these results apply to patients with fatty liver disease. If future studies produce similar findings, doctors may one day recommend certain natural foods or compounds while being more careful about some supplements.
Review and analysis: The study provides useful early evidence but remains preclinical because it was performed in mice rather than humans. Its strength is that it examined both beneficial and potentially harmful dietary compounds at the same time. The results reinforce the idea that supplements are not always harmless and that whole foods rich in natural plant compounds may offer safer long-term health benefits.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about a diet that can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies that anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D could help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Source: Edith Cowan University.
