Mediterranean diet and MIND diet adherence in relation to biochemical markers in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide and is strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction. Dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets have been suggested to improve metabolic and hepatic outcomes; however, evidence regarding their association with biochemical markers in individuals with MASLD remains limited.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and MIND diet score with biochemical parameters in individuals diagnosed with MASLD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 411 individuals aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with MASLD. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires, including Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and MIND diet adherence scales.

Results

Higher MEDAS scores were positively associated with low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and total bilirubin levels (p < 0.05), whereas higher MIND diet scores were inversely associated with total cholesterol and liver enzymes (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

While greater adherence to the MIND diet was associated with more favorable biochemical profiles, the unexpected positive associations between MEDAS scores and several biochemical markers suggest a complex relationship that may be influenced by dietary composition, total energy intake, and potential confounding factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these associations.