Switching to a high-fibre diet can help prevent—and even reverse—a common liver disease caused by dietary fructose, according to a new study. Consuming large amounts of fructose, particularly from added sugars in processed foods and soft drinks, can damage the liver by promoting fat accumulation. This condition, a form of fatty liver disease, can lead to inflammation, scarring and even cirrhosis. Researchers note that it is often difficult to diagnose, as patients may not experience significant weight gain.
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The study, published in Nature Metabolism, found that increasing dietary fibre can alter gut bacteria in ways that protect the liver from sugar-related damage. “We found that consuming a type of dietary fibre called inulin, which is abundant in certain vegetables, changes the gut microbiome to promote the breakdown of harmful fructose,” said Dr Cholsoon Jang from the University of California, Irvine. Inulin occurs naturally in foods such as Jerusalem artichokes, chicory root, leeks, asparagus, garlic and onions, and is also found in wheat flour, barley and rye.
Researchers discovered that the gut bacterium Bacteroides acidifaciens plays a key role in preventing liver disease when supplemented with inulin. In male mice, the inulin-adapted microbiome was able to metabolise fructose more efficiently, reducing insulin resistance and preventing liver damage. The findings suggest that fibre supports the gut microbiome in mitigating the body’s exposure to harmful nutrients and slowing the progression of metabolic disease.
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According to the researchers, these insights could pave the way for new preventive treatments that harness diet to protect gut and liver health. “By identifying specific gut bacteria and metabolic pathways involved, our findings can guide personalised nutrition strategies,” Dr Jang said. “For instance, by assessing how well an individual’s gut bacteria clear fructose before it is absorbed, we can tailor prebiotic or probiotic supplements to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.”
