Following a Japanese dietary pattern may help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) slow its progression. If the condition advances to liver fibrosis and scarring, it may lead to liver failure and life-threatening complications. NAFLD describes a range of conditions caused by fat accumulation in the liver, commonly seen in overweight or obese individuals and often associated with diet.
However, a new study found that consuming popular foods in Japan, such as rice, miso soup, and soy products, may slow the progression of the condition. Researchers tracked the diet and disease progression of 136 NAFLD patients undergoing treatment at Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital in Japan. The diet of each individual was recorded based on their adherence to the Japanese Dietary Index consisting of 12 components (mJDI12). Higher mJDII12 scores were associated with slower progression of liver fibrosis.
The following are the 12 types of foods and food groups in the Japanese diet:
1. Rice
2. Miso soup
3. Pickles
4. Soy products
5. Green and yellow vegetables
6. Fruits
7. Seafood
8. Mushrooms
9. Seaweed
10. Green tea
11. Coffee
12. Beef
Three foods were found to have the strongest suppression of liver fibrosis progression: soybeans, seafood, and seaweed. The study also monitored the diet's impact on muscle mass, finding that those who consumed more soy products had greater muscle mass alongside lower rates of fibrosis progression.
