Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where there is an excessive amount of fat stored in liver cells in someone who is not an alcoholic drinker or only drinks a little alcohol. This disease is characterised by inflammation on the liver and it can develop into cirrhosis or liver failure. NAFLD can occur to anyone, but for those with 40-50 years of age, they have a high risk of this disease.

NAFLD can be prevented by changing lifestyle such as doing regular exercise, stopping consumption of alcohol and maintaining ideal body weight. According to research carried out by Karolinska Institutet, NAFLD can also be prevented by consuming green vegetables regularly. The researchers found that green vegetables can help reduce fat buildup in the liver.

In his research, the researchers used mice as the subject. The mice were divided into 3 groups. Each group underwent three different eating patterns; a high-fat diet, western diet (high-sugar diet), and a high-fat diet with additional nitrate supplements. Next, the researchers conducted a series of tests such as weighing the body and also testing blood sugar levels to determine liver function in these mice.

As a result, the group of mice who underwent a high-fat diet with additional nitrate supplements showed a significant decrease in the amount of fat in the liver when compared with other groups. In addition, the group had lower blood pressure and was more sensitive to insulin when compared to other groups. The researchers further explained that inorganic nitrate is the key to maintaining liver health. Besides being able to get it through supplements, inorganic nitrates can also be found in green vegetables such as celery, spinach and lettuce.

Text by Anggie Triana
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Source(s):

• Herrera, I.C., Kozyra, M., Zhuge, Z., et al (2018). AMP-activated protein kinase activation and NADPH oxidase inhibition by inorganic nitrate and nitrite prevent liver steatosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1809406115.
• Medical News Today - Why green leafy vegetables can protect liver health (2018). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324041.php, January 02, 2019.