Eating Tomatoes Daily Can Improve Fatty Liver, Study Shows: Consume Raw Tomatoes Plus One Item for 6 Weeks

Tomatoes are rich in nutrients such as lycopene and were once ranked first on TIME magazine's list of the 'Top 10 Health Foods.' According to data from Taiwan's National Health Agency, one in three people in Taiwan suffers from fatty liver, which, if left untreated, increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In fact, about 20% of liver cancer cases in Taiwan are linked to fatty liver.

Food safety expert Wayne cited a study published in the international journal Nutrients, which showed that fatty liver patients who consumed 200 grams of raw tomatoes and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily for six weeks experienced a significant reduction in liver fat accumulation.

Wayne shared the findings on his Facebook page 'Wayne's Food and Agriculture Life,' referencing a randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients. The study involved 79 fatty liver patients with cardiovascular metabolic risk factors such as obesity or hypertension, and lasted for six weeks.

One group followed a control diet without tomatoes, while the other group consumed 200 grams of raw tomatoes and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily (all tomato products from the same supplier), with no restrictions on other lifestyle habits.

After six weeks, the group consuming tomato products showed a significantly lower level of liver fat accumulation compared to the non-consumption group. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in other indicators such as liver stiffness, blood lipids, or liver enzymes.

Why does tomato consumption improve fatty liver? Wayne explained that researchers believe the key lies in lycopene and carotenoids in tomatoes, which play a crucial role in reducing fat accumulation. Notably, the positive effects on liver fat were independent of changes in body weight or abdominal fat.

The Council of Agriculture's 'Agriculture and Food Education Information Integration Platform' also notes that tomatoes are low in calories and rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and lycopene, offering strong antioxidant properties that protect cells from free radical damage.

Q1: Can eating tomatoes daily really improve fatty liver? A: According to the study published in Nutrients, consuming 200 grams of raw tomatoes and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily for six weeks effectively reduces liver fat accumulation.

Q2: How should lycopene in tomatoes be consumed for better absorption? A: According to the Council of Agriculture, cooking tomatoes at high temperatures and processing them (e.g., crushing) helps release lycopene, making it easier for the body to absorb.