Whole Grains
Whole grains are cereal grains containing the entire grain kernel, including the germ, bran, and endosperm. Examples of whole grain foods include whole wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, popcorn, quinoa, and millet. As mentioned, whole grains have numerous benefits for fatty liver disease sufferers. One of the most important benefits is their ability to reduce body weight and abdominal fat deposition. This is due to both the high fiber content of whole grains and their effect on gut hormones such as peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
In addition to reducing body weight and abdominal fat deposition, studies have shown that whole grains can also help improve insulin resistance, another key factor in developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is thought to be due to compounds such as lignans and arabinoxylan oligosaccharides in whole grains. These compounds help decrease inflammation and improve gut health, which are believed to play a role in insulin resistance.
Another benefit of whole grains for fatty liver disease sufferers is their anti-inflammatory effects. Chronically elevated levels of inflammation are thought to contribute to the development of complications, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.
