People who eat lots of meat – even if it is just chicken, turkey, and lean steak – are more at risk of liver disease, research suggests. A study found those whose main source of protein comes from animal products are 54 percent more likely to develop the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than those who eat a more plant-based diet.Red meat, in particular, is a high source of saturated fat,
which may accumulate in the liver and eventually cause the organ to fail. Experts hope the study will encourage people to adopt a Mediterranean diet rich in fish,
whole grains and vegetables.The research was carried out by the Erasmus MC University Medical Centre in Rotterdam and led by Dr. Sarwa Darwish Murad, from the department of gastroenterology and hepatology.
NAFLD describes a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver that has not been triggered by alcohol. A healthy liver should have next to no fat, with even just small amounts being defined as the early stages of NAFLD.
