Mediterranean Diet Adherence Is Associated With Reduced Liver Fibrosis Risk in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing health concern.
• The Mediterranean diet (MD) is known to benefit hepatic steatosis.
• The impact of MD adherence on liver fibrosis in MASLD patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the risk of liver fibrosis.
• To investigate this relationship within the population diagnosed with MASLD.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2017-2020).
• MASLD identification using vibration-controlled transient elastography for steatosis.
• Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) score used to quantify dietary adherence.

Main Results:

• Higher MD adherence (high aMED group) was associated with a significantly lower risk of significant liver fibrosis in MASLD patients (OR=0.662).
• This protective effect was observed after adjusting for cardiometabolic risk factors and physical activity.
• Sensitivity analyses indicated that the protective association weakened with an increased cardiometabolic burden.

Conclusions:

• Increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with a reduced risk of significant liver fibrosis in individuals with MASLD.
• The MD is a recommended lifestyle intervention for mitigating liver fibrosis risk in this patient group.
• Further research may explore the interplay between cardiometabolic risk factors and MD benefits.