# Nutrition and diets in MASH (fatty liver disease)
Nutrition plays an important role in MASH. Much research focuses on which dietary patterns can counteract or worsen liver inflammation. Below you will find an overview of diets and food choices being studied in research.
Mediterranean dietary pattern
ResearchediPositive results in clinical studies, not yet standard treatment
The Mediterranean dietary pattern consists mainly of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and olive oil as the main source of fat. Red meat and processed products are uncommon.
This pattern is extensively studied in MASH because it is associated with better liver function and less inflammation in the body. Studies show that this pattern can help reduce fat storage in the liver and improve insulin sensitivity. The advantage lies especially in the combination of high fiber, antioxidants and unsaturated fats.
It is not a specialized diet, but rather an overall way of eating that is easy to maintain. There are no known risks or interactions with medical treatment of MASH.
High-fiber diet
ResearchediPositive results in clinical studies, not yet standard treatment
This means regularly eating vegetables, fruit, legumes (lentils, beans), whole grains and nuts. Fiber helps with intestinal health among other things and can influence how your body processes fats and sugars.
Recent research suggests that fiber can change the composition of your gut bacteria, and this in turn can affect the liver. A 2026 study describes how dietary fiber can have strong medicinal effects on various organs through gut bacteria. In MASH specifically, certain bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (butyrate) have been found to be beneficial for the liver.
There are no known risks, but it is important that your diet gradually becomes richer in fiber, as your digestive system needs time to adapt to this.
Protein-rich nutrition
ResearchediPositive results in clinical studies, not yet standard treatment
High-protein diet means regularly eating fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes and nuts. In MASH, research is examining whether adequate protein can help preserve muscle mass and improve metabolism.
Research suggests that protein can help stabilize the insulin response, which is important because many people with MASH have difficulty with their glucose and insulin balance. However, there is no clear evidence that extra protein specifically counteracts MASH; it likely works mainly by helping with weight loss and metabolic health in general.
A high-protein diet should go together with regular exercise and other food choices, and is not a substitute for treatment. For some people with severe liver function impairment, high amounts of animal-derived protein can be difficult; this is something to discuss with your doctor or dietitian.
Diet low in added sugars
ResearchediPositive results in clinical studies, not yet standard treatment
This means avoiding sugary drinks, pastries, candy, and products with a lot of added sugar. This is not the same as avoiding all carbohydrates, because vegetables and fruit contain natural sugars and plenty of fiber.
High intake of added sugars is strongly associated with fat storage in the liver and worsening of MASH. It appears that especially fruit sugar (fructose) in food products can burden the liver, because it is processed directly in the liver. Research from 2026 points to environmental chemicals and metabolic disruption that can worsen MASH; a diet without added sugars should be part of a healthier lifestyle.
A cautious note: eating without sugar is practically difficult and need not be absolute. It is about making conscious choices.
Weight loss through diet
ProveniIncluded in official guidelines, or approved by EMA or FDA
Research consistently shows that weight loss is one of the most effective measures against MASH. This can be achieved through various dietary patterns, provided it results in a calorie deficit. Approximately 5–10% weight loss can already reduce liver inflammation; further weight loss can counteract fibrosis (scarring).
This works not because a particular diet is "magical," but because the amount of fat in and around the liver decreases when you lose weight. Studies from 2026 on metabolic surgery (bypass operations) show that weight loss can also be beneficial in severe MASH with cirrhosis.
Which dietary pattern you choose to lose weight is less important than being able to sustain it long-term. Crash diets usually don't work.
Limiting alcohol
ProveniIncluded in official guidelines, or approved by EMA or FDA
Although MASH is not caused by alcohol, alcohol use can further damage the liver and worsen MASH. People with MASH are advised to avoid alcohol use or severely limit it.
Recent research from 2026 shows that certain gut bacteria and medication use (such as acid suppressants) can influence the way alcohol and liver damage interact. This highlights how diet and lifestyle work together.
Intermittent fasting or periodic fasting
ResearchediPositive results in clinical studies, not yet standard treatment
This means a pattern of eating and not eating, for example eating only within a certain window per day, or eating very little for a few days. This is being investigated in MASH because it may help with weight loss and because some studies in mice and small groups of people suggest that fasting can improve liver cell function.
However, research is still limited and results are mixed. For many people with MASH, regular, ordinary eating with a healthy pattern is probably easier to maintain. Fasting can also have interactions with medications you are taking for MASH or other conditions.
This is a topic you should discuss specifically with your doctor before trying it.
Specific dietary components under investigation
ExperimentaliOngoing in study setting, outcome still unknown
Recent research focuses on specific substances in food that may have a protective effect. Examples are glucosamine (from certain food supplements), wedelolactone (a substance from plants), curculigoside (from plant species) and cordycepin (from fungal species). These studies are very new (2026) and mostly conducted in animals or tissue cultures, not in humans.
It is too early to draw practical recommendations from this. These studies help scientists understand which biological mechanisms play a role, but they do not yet constitute a proven dietary strategy.
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Dietary choices in MASH are tailored. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another, depending on your medical situation, other conditions (such as diabetes or high cholesterol), medications and personal preference. It is important to develop a nutrition plan together with your doctor or a specialized dietitian that suits your situation. They can also check that you are getting enough nutrients, especially if you are losing weight.
_This information never replaces a doctor's judgment. Always discuss your situation with your own healthcare provider._