A new study in collaboration with the University of Haifa and the Tel Aviv Medical Center reveals: fast eating and emotional impulses significantly increase the risk of fatty liver, even when a healthy lifestyle is maintained
A direct link was found between harmful eating habits, and in particular fast eating, and the presence of fatty liver disease, and this is independent of having a healthy lifestyle - this is according to a new study conducted in collaboration with the University of Haifa and the Tel Aviv Medical Center and published in the scientific journal Hepatology Communication It examined the effects of harmful eating habits and a healthy lifestyle on the risk of fatty liver disease and liver damage. 315 participants aged 40-70 took part in the study, who were examined at two time points during a follow-up period of approximately 7 years.
The participants underwent non-invasive liver tests, such as ultrasound, along with other measures to assess liver function. They also filled out detailed questionnaires that included questions about diet, smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption. The study found that about 34% of the participants who reported eating fast were found to have a 69% increased chance of having fatty liver disease compared to those who ate at a normal or slow pace. In addition, it was found that eating following an emotional impulse, for example in stressful situations, compared to eating out of hunger or following a meal, increases the risk of insulin resistance and liver inflammation processes of metabolic origin.
The team of researchers who conducted the study include Prof. Shira Zalver-Sagi, PhD student Laura Greenspan, Master's student Yara Ibn Haim and Dr. Dana Ivankowski-Vachkaman fromSchool of Public Health At the University of Haifa, alongside Prof. Revital Kriev, Dr. Naomi Felis-Iskov, Dr. Muriel Webb and Prof. Oren Shibulat from the Tel Aviv Medical Center. "The research findings point to the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in preventing liver diseases and other metabolic diseases - the combination of regular physical activity, a balanced diet and maintaining a normal weight is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and maintain general health," the researchers concluded.
Fatty liver of metabolic origin (MASLD), which does not result from excessive alcohol consumption, is the most common liver disease in the world and the leading cause of chronic liver disease. About 30% of the general population, including in Israel, suffer from it. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver cells, which may lead to inflammatory processes, the formation of liver scars and even develop into liver cirrhosis or cancer. The disease is closely related to obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle, characterized by a diet high in sugar and processed food and a lack of physical activity. "As of today, there is no dedicated drug treatment for the prevention of fatty liver, which further reinforces the importance of a healthy lifestyle and behavioral change as a key tool in preventing and maintaining liver health," explains doctoral student Laura Greenspan, the editor of the study.
The results of the study show that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a combination of a balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking and maintaining a normal body weight, reduces the risk of developing metabolic fatty liver disease (MASLD) by approximately 58%. However, even among those who maintain a healthy lifestyle, harmful eating patterns, such as fast eating and emotional impulses, are significant risk factors. "The combination of maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding these harmful lifestyle habits can help a lot in preventing fatty liver disease and metabolic damage," said Prof. Zalber-Sagi.
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