The Summary
In this 6-month randomized controlled trial, 173 adults with overweight or obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) were assigned to a Mediterranean diet, a low-carb/high-protein diet, or standard advice. Researchers tracked liver fat using controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) scans. All groups showed similar improvements. The study revealed that specific dietary patterns did not directly influence liver fat reduction. Instead, overall weight loss and a reduction in ultra-processed food (UPF) intake were the independent and significant drivers of liver fat clearance and improved metabolic health.
Why this is interesting
Experts long debated whether low-carb, Mediterranean, or other diets were superior for treating fatty liver. This study shifts the paradigm: the exact dietary pattern matters less than reducing ultra-processed foods and achieving weight loss. For patients, this is highly encouraging news. It means you do not need to follow a highly restrictive, hard-to-maintain plan to heal your liver. Instead, focusing on a flexible, patient-centered approach that prioritizes whole foods over highly processed options and supports sustainable weight management is highly effective and much easier to stick to long-term.