It has been determined that daily consumption of tomatoes may be associated with a reduction in liver fat.
Modern.az reports that scientists from the Italian National Institute of Gastroenterology have reached this conclusion. The study was published in the scientific journal “Nutrients” and funded by the Italian Ministry of Health.
The study involved 79 adults suffering from fatty liver disease and with a p mass index below 30. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group consumed 200 grams of raw tomatoes – approximately one large tomato – and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily for six weeks. The second group ate without tomatoes.
Before and after the study, the amount of fat in the participants' livers was measured using a special examination. The results showed that liver fat decreased in both groups. However, the decrease was greater in those who ate tomatoes every day. In this group, the indicator decreased by an average of 11% from the initial level, while in the control group, it decreased by approximately 6%.
However, tomato consumption did not cause significant changes in liver stiffness, degree of fibrosis, liver enzymes, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, or p composition.
Scientists have not yet precisely determined the mechanism of this effect of tomatoes. According to one hypothesis, compounds with anti-inflammatory properties in tomatoes may affect fat accumulation in the liver.
It is noted that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a widespread condition and is often associated with obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. In some cases, the disease can lead to inflammation, the formation of scar tissue, and in severe cases, liver failure.
However, the study does not prove that tomatoes can prevent or treat fatty liver disease on their own. The number of participants in the study was relatively small, and the observation lasted only six weeks. Therefore, according to scientists, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm the results.
