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.
Around one in three people in the UK have the early stages of NAFLD, which is more common in those who are overweight or obese, NHS statistics reveal.
