BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally. Nuts and seeds, due to their unique nutrient composition, may provide health benefits for the prevention of NAFLD. To date, no research has investigated the association between nut and seed intake and NAFLD prevalence in a non-Mediterranean Western population.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the association between nut and seed intake with NAFLD and metabolic biomarkers in a US representative sample.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from 25,360 adults involved in the 2005-2018 NHANES, including adults (aged ≥18 y) with negative serology for hepatitis B and C and nonexcessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI); metabolic biomarkers were also assessed; nut and seed intake was evaluated from two 24-h dietary recalls. ANOVA and Poisson regression were used to establish the relation between nut and seed intake categories and NAFLD prevalence.

RESULTS

Nut and seed consumption was associated with a reduced prevalence of NAFLD. In females, in the fully adjusted model, this was significant across all nut and seed consumption categories but was most prominent in the moderate consumption group (7%, 15%, and 14% risk reduction in low, moderate, and adequate consumption categories, respectively, compared with nonconsumers). In males, moderate intake of nuts and seeds demonstrated a significantly lower prevalence of NAFLD (9%) compared with nonconsumers.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily consumption for nuts and seeds was associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD in non-Mediterranean, US adults, although the benefits seem to be greater in females across all categories of nut and seed consumption groups compared with nonconsumers. Both males and females presented with lower prevalence of NAFLD with intakes of 15-30 g/d.