Finnish study finds prebiotic fiber reduced liver fat in overweight adults

A study conducted in Finland found that a prebiotic fiber-based food supplement improved liver health in patients with hepatic steatosis, the researchers said. The trial involved 42 overweight participants who consumed 2.8 grams of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) daily over four months. The research team measured liver fat levels using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the intervention. According to the data, the supplement lowered levels of harmful gut metabolites associated with fat accumulation. The effect was most pronounced in participants with gut microbiome imbalances, whose bacterial composition improved and whose visceral fat — the type surrounding internal organs and considered the most harmful — decreased. The researchers noted that the supplement's impact depended on the initial condition of the gut and liver, with no significant changes observed in participants who already had advanced fatty liver disease. The study also referenced prior research indicating that fatty liver disease can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. No further details on next steps or publication venue were immediately available.