Scientists discovered that Native Hawaiian and White women have different patterns in how their DNA is marked with chemical tags that affect how genes work. These DNA differences were connected to eating habits and body chemistry markers related to liver health and metabolism. The study looked at blood samples from 324 postmenopausal women and found that 736 specific DNA locations showed different patterns between the two groups. Many of these differences were linked to how well people followed a heart-healthy diet and to levels of important body chemicals like triglycerides and fat-regulating hormones. These findings suggest that genetic differences may help explain why some groups have higher rates of liver disease and other health conditions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether Native Hawaiian and White women have different chemical marks on their DNA, and whether these marks connect to diet choices and body chemistry related to metabolism and liver health
  • Who participated: 324 postmenopausal women who didn’t smoke—143 Native Hawaiian and 181 White women—who were generally healthy and part of a larger health study
  • Key finding: Researchers found 736 locations on DNA that were marked differently between the two groups. About 23% of these differences were linked to following a healthy DASH diet, and many were connected to liver fat content and important body chemicals that affect metabolism
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that genetic differences may partly explain why some groups face higher risks for liver disease and metabolic problems. It doesn’t mean these conditions are unavoidable—diet and lifestyle choices still matter significantly—but it highlights that different groups may need different health approaches

The Research Details

This study examined blood samples from women in a large health research project called the Multiethnic Cohort. Scientists used advanced technology to look at DNA methylation—think of it as chemical tags attached to DNA that control whether genes are turned on or off. They compared the DNA tags in Native Hawaiian women to those in White women, looking for locations where the patterns were significantly different. The researchers carefully adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that might affect DNA tags, like age and smoking status.

Once they identified the 736 locations with different patterns, the scientists investigated what these differences meant. They looked at whether these DNA locations were connected to specific genes and what those genes do in the body. They also examined whether the DNA differences matched up with women’s eating habits, particularly how well they followed the DASH diet (a diet recommended for heart health). Finally, they checked if these DNA differences correlated with blood test results and liver fat measurements taken with MRI scans.

Understanding DNA methylation differences between groups is important because it can reveal biological reasons why some populations experience higher rates of certain diseases. This study focused on Native Hawaiian women, a group that hasn’t been studied as much as others but faces significant health challenges. By identifying these DNA differences and connecting them to diet and metabolism, researchers can better understand the root causes of health disparities and potentially develop more targeted prevention strategies.

This study has several strengths: it used a large sample size (324 women), employed advanced technology to measure DNA methylation accurately, and carefully controlled for factors that could confuse the results. The research was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected scientific journal. However, because this is a cross-sectional study (a snapshot in time rather than following people over years), it shows associations but cannot prove that DNA differences cause health problems. The study also only included postmenopausal women, so results may not apply to younger women or men.

What the Results Show

The researchers identified 736 locations on DNA where Native Hawaiian women showed different methylation patterns compared to White women. Interestingly, most of these differences involved increased methylation (more chemical tags), which is the opposite of what researchers might have expected. About 61% of the genes affected by these DNA differences are known to be involved in liver disease development, suggesting that DNA methylation patterns may contribute to the higher rates of liver disease seen in Native Hawaiian populations.

When scientists looked at how diet connected to these DNA differences, they found that 168 of the 736 locations (about 23%) were associated with how closely women followed the DASH diet—a eating pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. This suggests that diet may influence these DNA marks, or that people with certain DNA patterns may be more likely to follow or benefit from specific diets.

The study also found connections between these DNA differences and important body chemistry markers. The DNA patterns were associated with adiponectin (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar), triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), and sex hormone-binding globulin (a protein that affects hormone levels). Additionally, 15 of the DNA locations were directly correlated with the amount of fat in the liver, measured by MRI scans—a finding that’s particularly important because excess liver fat is linked to serious liver disease.

Beyond the main findings, the research revealed that the DNA differences between groups were not randomly distributed across the genome. Instead, they clustered in specific regions called CpG islands, which are areas where DNA methylation is particularly important for controlling genes. The fact that these differences were concentrated in certain areas suggests they may have biological significance rather than being random variations. The researchers also noted that the genes affected by these DNA differences are involved in multiple metabolic pathways—the chemical processes that control how the body uses food for energy and stores fat.

This research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that epigenetic differences (chemical marks on DNA) may help explain health disparities between racial and ethnic groups. Previous studies have shown that Native Hawaiian populations have higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and certain cancers compared to White populations. This study provides a potential biological mechanism—differences in DNA methylation patterns—that could contribute to these disparities. The findings also support earlier research suggesting that diet can influence DNA methylation, though most previous studies focused on other populations.

Several important limitations should be considered. First, this study only included postmenopausal women who didn’t smoke and were generally healthy, so the findings may not apply to younger women, men, or people with existing health conditions. Second, the study is cross-sectional, meaning it captured a single moment in time rather than following people over years, so researchers cannot determine whether DNA differences cause health problems or result from them. Third, while the study identified associations between DNA patterns and diet, it cannot prove that diet causes the DNA changes. Finally, the study was conducted in Hawaii, so results may not apply to Native Hawaiian people living in other regions or to other Pacific Islander groups.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, following a heart-healthy diet like the DASH diet appears particularly important for Native Hawaiian women and may help address some of the biological factors contributing to health disparities. The DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fat. However, this is one study, and more research is needed before making specific dietary recommendations based solely on these findings. Anyone concerned about liver health or metabolic problems should consult with their healthcare provider about personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

This research is most relevant to Native Hawaiian women and healthcare providers serving Native Hawaiian communities, as it helps explain why this group faces higher rates of liver disease and metabolic problems. It’s also important for researchers studying health disparities and for public health officials developing prevention programs. While the study focused on Native Hawaiian women, the findings may have relevance to other Pacific Islander groups and other populations experiencing similar health disparities. People of all backgrounds who are concerned about liver health or metabolic disease should pay attention to diet quality, as the research suggests diet influences important biological markers.

Changes in DNA methylation patterns from diet changes may take weeks to months to develop, though this study doesn’t specify how quickly changes occur. Improvements in metabolic markers like triglycerides and liver fat content typically become measurable within 3-6 months of sustained dietary changes. However, preventing serious liver disease or metabolic problems is a long-term commitment, so consistent healthy eating habits over years are more important than short-term changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily adherence to DASH diet principles by logging servings of vegetables (goal: 4-5 per day), fruits (goal: 3-4 per day), whole grains (goal: 6-8 servings per day), and lean proteins while monitoring sodium intake (goal: under 2,300mg per day). Use the app to calculate a weekly DASH diet adherence score.
  • Start by adding one additional vegetable serving to lunch and one fruit serving to snacks daily. Gradually replace refined grains with whole grains in one meal per day. Track these specific changes in the app and celebrate weekly milestones to build momentum toward full DASH diet adoption.
  • Use the app to track DASH diet adherence weekly and correlate it with available health metrics (weight, energy levels, digestion). If users have access to blood work or liver imaging through their healthcare provider, note results in the app timeline to observe long-term patterns. Set monthly goals to increase adherence and review progress quarterly.

This research describes associations between DNA patterns, diet, and metabolic markers but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. The findings are based on a study of postmenopausal women and may not apply to all populations. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Anyone concerned about liver disease, metabolic problems, or health disparities should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized evaluation and recommendations. Dietary changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian, especially for people with existing health conditions or taking medications.