Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects a significant portion of the population and is associated with various health risks.
A recent study conducted by researchers from Ben-Gurion University and Harvard University has demonstrated that a green Mediterranean diet can effectively reduce fat accumulation in the liver and significantly lower the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Impact of Excessive Fat in the Liver: Excessive fat accumulation in the liver, known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risks, and imbalances in gut microbiome diversity.
Currently, no specific medications are available for treating this condition, with weight loss and alcohol reduction being the primary interventions.
The research team designed and tested a new dietary approach called the green Mediterranean diet.
This diet focuses on incorporating vegetables, daily consumption of walnuts (28 grams), and reducing the intake of processed and red meat.
Additionally, the diet includes green components with high polyphenol content, such as three to four cups of green tea per day and 100 grams of a Mankai green shake.
The Role of Mankai: Mankai, an aquatic green plant also known as duckweed, is a key component of the green Mediterranean diet. It offers a rich source of bioavailable protein, iron, B12, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.
The study involved 294 individuals in their fifties with abdominal obesity, who were divided into three groups: a healthy dietary regimen, a traditional Mediterranean diet, and the green Mediterranean diet.
Alongside dietary changes, all participants were provided with a physical exercise regimen and free gym membership.
The results showed that all three diets led to a reduction in liver fat.
However, the green Mediterranean diet produced the most significant decrease (-39%) compared to the traditional Mediterranean diet (-20%) and the healthy dietary guidelines (-12%).
The green Mediterranean diet resulted in a substantial reduction in the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, from 62% at baseline to 31.5%.
Increased consumption of Mankai and walnuts, along with reduced intake of red and processed meat, was strongly associated with a greater reduction in liver fat.
The researchers suggest that the presence of polyphenols in the green Mediterranean diet, as well as the reduction in red meat consumption, may contribute to the reduction in liver fat.
The findings of this study highlight the potential benefits of a green Mediterranean diet in reducing fatty liver disease.
This dietary approach, rich in vegetables, walnuts, and green components like Mankai, showed superior results in decreasing liver fat compared to other healthy diets.
The study sheds light on the importance of diet in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, providing a potential strategy for individuals at risk.
For those interested in nutrition, it is worth exploring the numerous studies supporting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for brain health and the optimal timing for taking vitamins to prevent heart disease.
Additional research in nutrition has also highlighted the positive effects of plant nutrients on reducing high blood pressure and the potential role of antioxidants in reducing the risk of dementia.
The study conducted by Professor Iris Shai and colleagues was published in the journal Gut.
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