Does a high intake of green leafy vegetables protect from NAFLD? Evidence from a large population study

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases, 2021-06, Vol.31 (6), p.1691-1701
• Main Authors: Li, Huiping, Wang, Xuena, Ye, Mingxu, Zhang, Shunming, Zhang, Qing, Meng, Ge, Liu, Li, Wu, Hongmei, Gu, Yeqing, Wang, Yawen, Zhang, Tingjing, Sun, Shaomei, Wang, Xing, Zhou, Ming, Jia, Qiyu, Song, Kun, Wang, Yaogang, Niu, Kaijun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Green leafy vegetables; Nonalcoholic fatty liver; Obesity; Population-based study
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2021.01.009

Results of in vitro and in vivo studies showed that green leafy vegetables (GLV) could attenuate liver steatosis. However, little is known regarding the association between GLV intake and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in human. We examined the association of GLV intake with NAFLD in a large-scale adult population. This cross-sectional study investigated 26,891 adults in China who participated in health examinations from 2013 to 2017. Newly diagnosed NAFLD was detected by liver ultrasonography. Dietary intake was assessed by using a validated and standardized food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across categories of GLV intake. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and other dietary intakes, the OR (95% CI) for comparing the highest vs. lowest GLV intake categories (≥7 times/week vs. almost never) was 0.72 (0.59, 0.90) (P