Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Study Finds Keto May Offer Added Liver Metabolic Benefits
Researchers compared three diets in 55 adults who had obesity, prediabetes and fatty liver disease.
The diets were low-fat plant-based, Mediterranean and ketogenic.
People in all three groups lost about 10% of their starting weight when they followed measured meals and received dietitian guidance.
All three diets helped muscles respond better to insulin.
The ketogenic diet also reduced fat in the liver and improved some blood sugar measures.
About half of the people on the ketogenic diet no longer met the study’s definition of prediabetes.
The Mediterranean diet was better at reducing body fat and preserving muscle and bones.
The researchers said the study was small and short, so the long-term effects of keto are still uncertain.
People should consider their own needs and consult health professionals before choosing a diet.
A small trial compared low-fat plant-based, Mediterranean and ketogenic diets in 55 adults with obesity, prediabetes and fatty liver disease.
Participants following carefully portioned meals with weekly dietitian guidance lost around 10% of their initial weight on average.
All three diets improved muscle insulin sensitivity, while cholesterol changes were largely similar.
The ketogenic diet additionally reduced liver fat and triglyceride production and improved liver insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.
Researchers cautioned that the study was small and short, while the Mediterranean diet better reduced body fat and preserved fat-free mass.
- Who
- Researchers studied 55 adults with obesity, prediabetes and fatty liver disease.
- What
- The clinical trial compared low-fat plant-based, Mediterranean and ketogenic diets and their effects on weight and metabolic health.
- When
- The study’s specific dates and duration were not stated; researchers described it as short.
- Where
- The study location was not stated.
- Why
- The researchers wanted to assess health effects beyond weight loss, including insulin sensitivity, liver function and blood sugar.
Potential metabolic benefits
Cautions and alternatives
Liver and blood sugar effects
Potential metabolic benefits
The ketogenic diet produced additional improvements in liver fat, liver triglyceride production, liver insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.
Cautions and alternatives
Researchers said the evidence is not conclusive, and the long-term health effects of ketogenic eating remain unknown.
Choosing the best diet
Potential metabolic benefits
The findings suggest that reducing carbohydrates and added sugars may help manage obesity-related metabolic problems.
Cautions and alternatives
The Mediterranean diet performed better for reducing body fat and preserving fat-free mass, including muscle and bones.
Weight loss
Potential metabolic benefits
The ketogenic diet was among the approaches associated with about 10% weight loss under structured conditions.
Cautions and alternatives
All three diets produced similar weight-loss results, and earlier studies indicate that differences between them are negligible.
- Participants
- 55 adults with obesity, prediabetes and fatty liver disease
- Diets compared
- Low-fat plant-based, Mediterranean and ketogenic
- Weight loss
- About 10% of initial body weight with carefully portioned meals and weekly dietitian guidance
- Shared finding
- All three diets improved muscle insulin sensitivity
- Ketogenic findings
- Reduced liver fat and liver triglyceride production, while improving liver insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels
- Prediabetes finding
- About half of ketogenic-diet adherents no longer met the criteria for prediabetes
- Study limitation
- The evidence remains inconclusive because the study was small and short
- Body composition
- The Mediterranean diet better reduced body fat and preserved fat-free mass