How Simple Diet Shifts Can Prevent 50% of Liver Diseases

A liver-friendly diet includes fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins to support liver health.

On World Liver Day medical experts across India are sounding the alarm on the country’s growing liver disease burden and urging citizens to overhaul their dietary habits. Highlighting the powerful connection between food and liver health, doctors say that healthy eating alone can slash the risk of liver disease by up to 50%.

Modern Lifestyles Fueling Rise in Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease

Speaking on the rising tide of liver-related conditions, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), healthcare professionals emphasized that liver disorders are no longer restricted to alcohol consumption. Instead, modern lifestyles characterized by processed food, sugar-laden beverages, and physical inactivity are driving a silent epidemic—even among children.

“About 50 percent of liver disease cases can be prevented simply by changing food habits and improving nutrition,” said Dr. Sanjiv Saigal, President of the Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI). “The liver is a resilient organ, capable of regenerating itself. We see tremendous improvement in patients who commit to a clean, balanced diet.”

A recent landmark study published in Frontiers in Nutrition analyzed data from over 121,000 participants in the UK Biobank. It revealed that individuals consuming pro-inflammatory diets—high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats—had a 16% higher risk of developing chronic liver disease (CLD). In contrast, those following anti-inflammatory diets like the Mediterranean diet or scoring high on the Healthy Eating Index 2020 experienced a significant reduction in liver disease risk. ()

Doctors stress that food truly is medicine. A liver-friendly diet includes:

• Fresh fruits and green vegetables




• Whole grains and legumes




• Lean proteins such as fish and pulses




• Reduced intake of sugars, refined carbs, and saturated fats

“As doctors, we witness miracles when patients shift to cleaner diets—liver enzyme levels stabilize, energy returns, and long-term outcomes improve,” added Dr. Saigal. “Start by reading food labels and cutting out processed foods.”

Adding to the concern, a separate study published in Nutrients linked high fructose intake—especially from sugary drinks and processed snacks—to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in obese children.

This World Liver Day, with the theme “Food is Medicine”, experts are calling on every household to make liver-conscious choices. From cooking at home and staying hydrated to avoiding sugar-loaded drinks and fast food, these small shifts can protect one of the body’s most vital organs.