Fruit & Fatty Liver

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis causes fat to build up in your liver. Too much fat building up in your liver can lead to cirrhosis, or permanent scarring, and eventual liver failure. Reducing stress on your liver and following a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the condition from developing into more serious conditions. A healthy diet for people with fatty liver disease can include most kinds of fruit.

Fresh fruit may help prevent complications from a fatty liver. (Image: gpointstudio/iStock/Getty Images)

Background

NAFLD typically affects older adults. (Image: Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Getty Images)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also known as NAFLD, typically affects older adults and males more than it does younger adults and females. This disease appears without symptoms, or you may feel tired or have pain in your abdomen, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. Treatment must address underlying causes and prevent your condition from advancing into more serious problems such as cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, and liver failure. The American Liver Foundation suggests general dietary guidelines for fatty liver disease, which include vegetables, whole grains and fruits to increase your intake of dietary fiber, and reducing your intake of saturated fat. Saturated fat causes your liver to produce more cholesterol, which may place stress on your liver and exacerbate fatty liver disease.

Weight Control

Obesity is a contributing factor for developing fatty liver. (Image: MichaelNivelet/iStock/Getty Images)

High-risk factors for developing fatty liver and its complications include obesity, according to the University of Pittsburgh. In order to lose weight, you need to burn off more calories than you expend. Most kinds of fruit can help you reduce your overall calorie intake in order to lose weight. You can eat fruit as low-calorie snacks, additions to your breakfast cereal or substitutes for dessert. Keep in mind that fresh fruit contains fewer calories than dried fruit does.

Dietary Fiber

A healthy diet for fatty liver disease should include fruit. (Image: LuminaStock/iStock/Getty Images)

A healthy diet for fatty liver disease should include fruit, because of its high amount of dietary fiber. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, high cholesterol, diabetes, prediabetes or high blood pressure can lead to fatty liver disease or complications from it. Fiber lowers your cholesterol levels, and it may help regulate your blood sugar levels to prevent or control type 2 diabetes. Oranges, bananas, pears, strawberries, apples and apricots provide good sources of fiber. Fruit juice generally does not contain fiber.

Avocados

Avocados are a good source of fiber and healthy fats. (Image: NadiaCruzova/iStock/Getty Images)

A diet low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat may lower your cholesterol levels and promote a healthy liver, according to an article by Drs. Dawn M. Torres and Stephen A. Harrison appearing in the May 2008 issue of "Gastroenterology." Most kinds of fruit contain little or no fat. Avocados, however, contain healthy monounsaturated fat, which may help regulate your blood sugar. As an added benefit, avocados contain high levels of fiber with 5 grams in a 1/2-cup serving, according to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Florida Cooperative Extension Service.