Relationship between dietary patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aim: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. Previous studies have investigated the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD, but their results are contradictory. Therefore, we carried out this meta‐analysis to examine the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until November 14, 2019, to identify the observational studies on the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD. We selected three dietary patterns of Western, Prudent, and Mediterranean. A random‐effect model was used to compute the summary risk estimates. Odds ratios (ORs) that were reported for fully adjusted models and their confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted for meta‐analysis. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran's Q ‐ and I 2 tests. Eighteen articles ( n = 24 867 participants) were entered our systematic review and meta‐analysis. Results: We determined that Western dietary patterns ( n = 8787 participants) containing high levels of processed food, red meat, high‐fat dairy, and refined grains could significantly increase NAFLD (OR = 1.56, CI = 1.27 to 1.92; P ≤ 0.001). However, the Prudent ( n = 13 023 participants) (OR = 0.78, CI = 0.71 to 0.85; P ≤ 0.001) and Mediterranean dietary patterns ( n = 3057 participants) (OR = 0.77, CI = 0.60 to 0.98; P = 0.41), defined by high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil decreased the risk of this disease. Conclusions: We found that Western dietary patterns increased the risk of NAFLD by 56%, although the Prudent and Mediterranean dietary patterns reduced the risk of this disease by 22% and 23%, respectively.
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In a meta-analysis of observational studies and clinical trials, the Mediterranean diet has repeatedly been shown to provide hepatic and cardiovascular health benefits, even without weight loss.
“In a meta-analysis of observational studies and clinical trials, the Mediterranean diet has repeatedly been shown to provide hepatic and cardiovascular health bene fi ts, 296,297 even without weight loss. 298”
From EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). (2024) · cites this paper as [296]
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- Authors
- Hassani Zadeh, S., Mansoori, A., & Hosseinzadeh, M.
- Affiliations
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Yazd Iran
- Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Hosseinzadeh, Mahdieh
- Venue
- Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-12-14
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1470-1478
- ISSN
- 0815-9319 (ISSN-L)
- 1440-1746
- OpenAlex
- W3106954449
- Cited by
- 167
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 12
- FWCI
- 2.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
- Keywords
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dietary habits, Western diet, prudent diet, Mediterranean diet, red meat consumption, processed foods, refined grains, high-fat dairy, whole grains, olive oil, fruit and vegetable intake, fish consumption
- MeSH terms
- Diet, Healthy, Female, Food Handling, Humans, Male, Meat, Risk, Diet, Mediterranean, Fast Foods, Diet, High-Fat, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Diet, Western
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