A clinical trial has found that a ketogenic diet reduced liver fat by 67%, according to a report from Science Daily. The findings, published on August 30, 2026, highlight the diet's potential for addressing fatty liver and related metabolic conditions.
The trial also showed that the keto diet was effective at reversing prediabetes, as reported by News-Medical. Researchers compared the ketogenic approach against other eating patterns, including the Mediterranean diet and low-fat diets, according to coverage from Scientific American and the New York Post.
The keto diet is characterized by very low carbohydrate intake, which pushes the body into a state of ketosis where it burns fat for fuel. This metabolic shift appears to have a direct impact on fat stored in the liver, which is a key marker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The condition is closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance, and it often precedes more serious liver damage if left unmanaged.
Healthline noted that the keto diet may offer more benefits than the Mediterranean diet for people with obesity. While the Mediterranean diet is widely recommended for heart health, this trial suggests that keto could be a stronger option specifically for liver and metabolic outcomes. The results add to a growing body of evidence that dietary approaches need to be tailored to individual health goals rather than applied universally.
The trial's findings are significant because fatty liver disease is common and often silent, progressing without symptoms until it becomes severe. A dietary intervention that can cut liver fat by more than two-thirds in a controlled setting offers a practical, non-pharmaceutical route for patients and clinicians to consider.
Watch for follow-up studies examining whether these liver fat reductions are sustained over longer periods and whether they translate into lower rates of liver disease progression.
