A new wave of research has brought encouraging news for those at risk of liver conditions, as scientists spotlight the Mediterranean diet’s potential in combating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—a condition that now affects nearly one-third of the global population.

The Mediterranean diet, long praised for its heart and brain benefits, may also help prevent or reduce the progression of MASLD, according to findings published in the journal Nutrients and reported by Science Alert. Characterized by an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and limited red meat and dairy, this dietary approach is once again showing promise—this time in the realm of liver health.

MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a metabolic condition driven largely by excess fat accumulation in the liver. Left unchecked, it can lead to chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis, and in extreme cases, cirrhosis or liver cancer. The disease is closely tied to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, making lifestyle interventions a critical tool for prevention and management.

Researchers from Rovira i Virgili University in Spain analyzed 13 clinical studies involving 926 patients with MASLD to explore the effects of the Mediterranean diet, both alone and in combination with intermittent fasting.

The results were encouraging:

• Participants experienced modest weight loss,
• Improved blood sugar regulation, and
• Reductions in inflammation markers—all of which are linked to improved liver health.
  Some studies also showed early signs of enhanced liver function, though researchers cautioned that more long-term research is needed to fully understand the diet’s sustained impact on MASLD progression.

While liver-specific outcomes are still being explored, the study adds to growing evidence supporting the Mediterranean diet as a non-invasive, accessible strategy for improving metabolic health.

Widely recognized for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers, this plant-rich dietary model may now hold added value in liver disease prevention, offering a practical approach to managing a silent but widespread health threat.