A new study suggests that eating tomatoes every day could help reduce liver fat in people with fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects around a third of adults in the UK and is linked to obesity, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. In some people, the disease can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver, and in severe cases, it can even lead to liver failure.

Researchers at Italy’s National Institute of Gastroenterology divided 79 adults with fatty liver disease and a BMI of 30 or less into two groups.

One group consumed 200g of raw tomatoes (about one large tomato) plus 50g of tomato sauce every day for six weeks, while the other group followed a tomato-free diet.

Six weeks later, the participants were assessed for fat in their livers using a special scan.

According to the results, both groups had a reduction in liver fat. However, the reduction was more pronounced in those who consumed tomatoes.

The amount of liver fat in the tomato-eating group fell by about 11 percent from baseline over the six weeks, while the reduction was about 6 percent in the group who avoided tomatoes.

The study, published in the journal Nutrients and funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, suggests a possible link between tomato consumption and liver health.

However, further research is needed to confirm this effect.