Dietary Polyphenol Intake Inversely Associates with Fibrosis Scores in Individuals with MASLD
5 affiliations
- 1Unit of Data Science, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
- 2Division of Gastroenterology, Ospedale di Taormina, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy
- 3Department BioMeTec, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- 4Scientific Direction, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
- 5Division of Gastroenterology, Ospedale di Acireale, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
Abstract
Background & aims. Plant-based dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are considered protective against MASLD. The Mediterranean diet is rich in polyphenols (PP), plant-derived metabolites that exhibit anti-fibrotic effects in experimental models. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary polyphenol intake and fibrosis scores in patients with MASLD. Methods. The study population comprised two retrospective cohorts, MICOL and NUTRIHEP, from southern Italy. Polyphenol intake was assessed using the EPIC food frequency questionnaire, and the food content of polyphenols was quantified using Phenol-Explorer. Liver fibrosis severity was assessed by MAF-5 and FIB-4. Results. In a multivariable regression analysis adjusted for several potential confounders, comparing 381 patients with MAF-5 < 0 vs. 94 with MAF-5 > 1, consumption of total PP above the median (382.0–1356.8 mg/day) was associated with lower odds of high MAF-5 (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.94; p = 0.031). Regarding PP subclasses, individuals with higher intakes of anthocyanins (15.00–252.00 mg/day) and stilbenes (0.04–0.55 mg/day) had lower odds of MAF-5 > 1 (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.27–0.99; p = 0.045 and OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.27–0.92; p = 0.025, respectively). Considering PP sources, total flavonoid intake from fruit (≥60 mg/day) was associated with reduced high MAF-5 odds (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24–0.99; p = 0.045), driven by fruit-derived anthocyanins (OR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.28–0.97; p = 0.04). A higher intake of PP from extra virgin olive oil was also associated with a 50% reduction in the odds of MAF-5 > 1 (OR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26–0.96; p = 0.037). Conclusions. In this exploratory study, a higher dietary polyphenol intake may protect against fibrosis in patients with MASLD.
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BibTeX
@article{bonfiglio2026dietary,
title = {{Dietary Polyphenol Intake Inversely Associates with Fibrosis Scores in Individuals with MASLD}},
author = {Caterina Bonfiglio and Maria Noemy Pastore and Manuela Siani and Rossella Donghia and Martina Musumeci and Fabio Galvano and Gianluigi Giannelli and Federico Salomone},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203308},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3308},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dietary Polyphenol Intake Inversely Associates with Fibrosis Scores in Individuals with MASLD
AU - Caterina Bonfiglio
AU - Maria Noemy Pastore
AU - Manuela Siani
AU - Rossella Donghia
AU - Martina Musumeci
AU - Fabio Galvano
AU - Gianluigi Giannelli
AU - Federico Salomone
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203308
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3308
AB - Background & aims. Plant-based dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are considered protective against MASLD. The Mediterranean diet is rich in polyphenols (PP), plant-derived metabolites that exhibit anti-fibrotic effects in experimental models. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary polyphenol intake and fibrosis scores in patients with MASLD. Methods. The study population comprised two retrospective cohorts, MICOL and NUTRIHEP, from southern Italy. Polyphenol intake was assessed using the EPIC food frequency questionnaire, and the food content of polyphenols was quantified using Phenol-Explorer. Liver fibrosis severity was assessed by MAF-5 and FIB-4. Results. In a multivariable regression analysis adjusted for several potential confounders, comparing 381 patients with MAF-5 < 0 vs. 94 with MAF-5 > 1, consumption of total PP above the median (382.0–1356.8 mg/day) was associated with lower odds of high MAF-5 (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.94; p = 0.031). Regarding PP subclasses, individuals with higher intakes of anthocyanins (15.00–252.00 mg/day) and stilbenes (0.04–0.55 mg/day) had lower odds of MAF-5 > 1 (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.27–0.99; p = 0.045 and OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.27–0.92; p = 0.025, respectively). Considering PP sources, total flavonoid intake from fruit (≥60 mg/day) was associated with reduced high MAF-5 odds (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24–0.99; p = 0.045), driven by fruit-derived anthocyanins (OR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.28–0.97; p = 0.04). A higher intake of PP from extra virgin olive oil was also associated with a 50% reduction in the odds of MAF-5 > 1 (OR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26–0.96; p = 0.037). Conclusions. In this exploratory study, a higher dietary polyphenol intake may protect against fibrosis in patients with MASLD.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -