Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 18: On the eve of World Liver Day (April 19), medical experts highlighted the crucial connection between dietary habits and liver health, stating that making healthy changes today could reduce the risk of liver diseases by 50%. With rising cases of liver diseases across both urban and rural populations, experts emphasized that food plays a vital role in liver health.

Doctors pointed out that liver disease is no longer linked only to alcohol consumption. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), driven by unhealthy eating patterns, obesity, and lack of exercise, is increasingly common.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition analyzed data from over 121,000 participants in the UK Biobank, showing that diets with higher pro-inflammatory potential were linked to a 16% higher risk of chronic liver disease (CLD). In contrast, adhering to anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, reduced this risk.

Dr. Sanjiv Saigal, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India, emphasized that 50% of liver disease cases could be prevented through better nutrition. He added that liver damage from poor dietary choices, alcohol, processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles could be reversed with timely intervention.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins not only prevents liver disease but also supports its regeneration. Experts encourage the consumption of fresh produce, home-cooked meals, and hydration while reducing processed foods, sugar-laden drinks, and junk food to avoid liver damage.

In addition, a recent study in Nutrients linked high fructose intake from processed foods to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in obese children, underscoring the need to reduce added sugars in children's diets to combat liver diseases in the young.