A large study of over 27,000 Americans found that people who ate more inflammatory foods were more likely to have fatty liver disease. Researchers used a special scoring system to measure how inflammatory people’s diets were, then checked for liver fat using medical scans. Those with the most inflammatory diets had a 35% higher chance of having fatty liver compared to those eating anti-inflammatory foods. This suggests that choosing foods that fight inflammation - like fruits, vegetables, and fish - might help keep your liver healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating inflammatory foods increases the risk of fatty liver disease
  • Who participated: 27,655 American adults from a national health survey conducted between 2007-2020
  • Key finding: People with the most inflammatory diets had 35% higher odds of fatty liver disease compared to those eating anti-inflammatory foods
  • What it means for you: Choosing anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 rich fish may help protect your liver, though more research is needed to prove cause and effect

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study that looked at people’s eating habits and liver health at one point in time. Researchers used data from NHANES, a large ongoing survey that tracks the health of Americans. They calculated each person’s Dietary Inflammatory Index score based on what they ate, then used medical imaging to check for fatty liver disease. The study included people from different backgrounds, ages, and health conditions to get a representative picture of the US population.

This approach allowed researchers to study a very large group of people quickly and affordably. The NHANES database is considered high-quality because it uses standardized methods and represents the entire US population. However, since it’s a snapshot study, it can only show associations, not prove that inflammatory foods directly cause fatty liver disease.

The study’s strength comes from its large size and use of validated measurement tools. The researchers also used advanced statistical methods to account for other factors that might influence the results, like age, weight, and other health conditions. However, the study relies on people accurately reporting what they ate, which isn’t always perfect.

What the Results Show

The study found a clear pattern: as people’s diets became more inflammatory, their risk of fatty liver disease increased. For every one-point increase in the inflammatory diet score, the odds of having fatty liver went up by 7%. When comparing the quarter of people with the most inflammatory diets to those with the least inflammatory diets, the difference was even more striking - a 35% higher risk. This relationship held true even after accounting for factors like age, gender, race, income, and other health conditions. The researchers also created a prediction model using key nutrients that could identify people at risk for fatty liver disease with about 71% accuracy.

The study identified specific nutrients that seemed most important for liver health. Using advanced computer analysis, they pinpointed which dietary components had the strongest associations with fatty liver risk. The prediction model they built performed consistently well in both the original group and a separate validation group, suggesting it could be useful for screening purposes.

This study builds on previous research showing links between inflammation and liver disease, but it’s one of the largest to specifically look at diet-related inflammation in the general population. The findings align with other studies suggesting that Mediterranean-style diets, which are naturally anti-inflammatory, may benefit liver health.

Because this was a snapshot study, we can’t be sure that inflammatory diets actually cause fatty liver disease - it’s possible that people with liver problems change their eating habits, or that other unmeasured factors explain the connection. The study also relied on people remembering and accurately reporting what they ate, which can be imperfect. Additionally, the liver imaging method used, while good, isn’t as precise as a liver biopsy.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, focusing on anti-inflammatory foods appears to be a reasonable strategy for liver health. This means eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil while limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat. However, since this study can’t prove cause and effect, these should be considered as part of an overall healthy lifestyle rather than a guaranteed prevention method.

This information is most relevant for adults concerned about liver health, especially those with risk factors like obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. People already diagnosed with fatty liver disease should work with their healthcare providers rather than relying solely on dietary changes. The findings may be less applicable to people with other types of liver disease.

If dietary changes do help prevent fatty liver disease, benefits would likely take months to years to become apparent, as liver fat accumulation and reduction happen gradually. This isn’t a quick fix but rather a long-term lifestyle approach.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily intake of anti-inflammatory foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil versus inflammatory foods like processed meats, fried foods, and sugary snacks
  • Use the app to gradually replace one inflammatory food choice per day with an anti-inflammatory alternative, such as swapping a processed snack for mixed nuts or choosing salmon over red meat
  • Monitor your overall dietary inflammatory index score weekly by logging all foods and beverages, aiming to consistently stay in the anti-inflammatory range through balanced meal planning

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about liver health or dietary changes, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.