Combatting fatty liver: Eating tomatoes daily with one other item shows results in just six weeks, study reveals

A recent study indicates that incorporating tomatoes into the daily diet could be an effective strategy for improving fatty liver disease. Research published in the journal *Nutrients* found that adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) who consumed raw tomatoes and tomato sauce daily for six weeks experienced a more significant reduction in liver fat accumulation compared to a control group.

The randomized controlled trial involved 79 adults with MASLD. One group followed a control diet without tomatoes, while the other consumed 200 grams of raw tomatoes and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily from the same supplier. Other lifestyle habits remained unrestricted. Participants were required to have at least one cardiovascular metabolic risk factor, such as obesity or high blood pressure, and were excluded if they consumed excessive alcohol or had a body mass index over 30. The study focused on individuals up to age 65, with a predominantly male cohort.

After six weeks, both groups showed a decrease in liver fat, but the tomato-consuming group exhibited a more pronounced reduction. Researchers confirmed that baseline liver fat levels were similar between the groups, ruling out initial differences as a factor. Notably, the study found no significant changes in liver stiffness, blood lipids, liver enzymes, or body mass index between the two groups, suggesting the effect on liver fat might be independent of overall body composition changes.

Researchers hypothesize that key compounds like lycopene and carotenoids found in tomatoes may play a role in these benefits. However, this specific trial did not directly measure these components, and further research is required to establish a definitive causal link between these tomato-derived compounds and the observed reduction in liver fat. The findings offer a promising dietary approach for managing fatty liver disease.