Protective potential of minimally processed, plant-derived foods against steatotic liver disease in early adulthood.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The incidence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) among younger adults is increasing globally. While poor diet is a recognised risk factor, the impact of specific dietary components is unclear. We investigated associations between dietary patterns and SLD markers in younger adults.

METHODS

Analysis involved 887 members of the Raine Study Generation 2 cohort, assessed at age 27. SLD was defined using a validated MRI volumetric liver fat fraction equation. Dietary intake, assessed by food frequency questionnaires, was summarised using a modified Overall Diet Score (ODS) that classified foods as "Работает" or "unhealthy." Associations between diet and SLD were evaluated by logistic regression, adjusting for waist circumference, sex, alcohol intake and physical activity.

RESULTS

SLD was identified in 142 participants (16 %). Higher consumption of vegetables, nuts, fish/seafood, coffee (all P < 0.001), tea (P = 0.003), and legumes (P = 0.024) was associated with reduced odds of SLD. Conversely, higher intake of fruit juice, processed animal products, processed meats (all P < 0.001), and sweets/desserts (P = 0.029) was associated with increased odds. Greater healthy food consumption (overall median [IQR] = 23 [19-27]) was inversely associated with SLD (adjusted OR = 0.949 per unit, 95 % CI 0.909-0.992; P = 0.021). This association remained statistically significant only in males after adjustment (P = 0.007). The ODS and unhealthy food intake were not significantly associated with SLD following adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher intake of unprocessed or minimally processed plant-based foods is associated with a lower odds of SLD in younger adults, independent of central adiposity. These findings underscore the protective potential of plant-rich dietary patterns against SLD in early adulthood.