We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of the Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Six randomized controlled trials were selected for the meta-analysis (sample size: 250 participants). In the meta-analysis, there was no significant difference in body mass index and waist circumference between the Med-Diet and control groups. Med-Diet significantly reduced fatty liver index (FLI) compared with the control diet (standard mean difference [SMD]: -1.06; 95% CI: -1.95 to -0.17; p = 0.02). Med-Diet significantly reduced homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared with the control diet (SMD: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.03; p = 0.03). Similarly, a meta-regression analysis using age showed that Med-Diet significantly reduced FLI and HOMA-IR (95% CI: -0.956 to -0.237, p = 0.001 and 95% CI: -0.713 to -0.003, p = 0.048, respectively). This meta-analysis demonstrated that Med-Diet improved hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD. Thus, Med-Diet is a beneficial pharmaconutritional therapy in patients with NAFLD.
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