A recent study has found that resistant starch can significantly reduce fat and harmful enzymes in the liver of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD is a common liver condition that affects about 30% of people worldwide. It can lead to serious health problems, including liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

The good news? This research suggests that resistant starch, which is found in certain foods like bananas, potatoes, and whole grains, could be a simple and affordable way to help manage this condition.

The Study: What Did Researchers Do?

Led by Huating Li at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, the study included 200 people with NAFLD. The participants were split into two groups:

Both groups mixed 20 grams of starch with water and drank it twice a day before meals for four months.

What Were the Results?

By the end of the study, the group that consumed resistant starch saw:

✅ Nearly 40% lower liver fat (triglyceride) levels compared to the control group.

✅ Lower levels of liver enzymes and inflammation, both of which are linked to liver damage.

✅ Positive results even after adjusting for weight loss, meaning the starch itself had a direct effect.

How Did It Work?

The researchers also looked at gut bacteria and found an interesting change in the people who took resistant starch.

They had lower levels of Bacteroides stercoris, a type of bacteria that affects how the liver processes fat. This suggests that resistant starch may help treat NAFLD by improving gut health.

What Does This Mean for People With Fatty Liver Disease?

These findings show that adding resistant starch to your diet could be an easy and natural way to manage NAFLD.

"Unlike intense exercise or strict weight-loss programs, adding resistant starch to a balanced diet is much easier for people to stick with," says lead researcher Huating Li.

The study also highlights the role of gut bacteria in liver health, suggesting that targeting gut health could be a new way to treat NAFLD.

What's Next?

Researchers plan to continue studying resistant starch to better understand how it can help people with fatty liver disease. This could lead to new natural treatments that are simple, affordable, and effective.

The study was published in Cell Metabolism and adds to growing evidence that diet and gut health play a major role in liver disease prevention.