Clinical Trial Compares Three Diets' Effects on Liver Fat and Metabolic Health
A new randomized clinical trial has compared three popular dietary approaches—ketogenic, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets—among individuals with obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease.
The study found that all three groups achieved comparable weight loss, shedding approximately 10% of their body weight over four to five months. However, the diets differed markedly in their effects on liver fat. The ketogenic diet group experienced a 67% reduction in liver fat, compared to 45% for both the Mediterranean and low-fat diet groups.
Beyond liver fat, the ketogenic diet showed additional metabolic benefits. Roughly half of the participants following the keto diet no longer met the criteria for prediabetes by the end of the trial period.
The findings add to ongoing discussions about dietary strategies for managing metabolic conditions, though researchers note that long-term adherence to different diets varies and individual responses can differ based on factors including genetics, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions.