Is Bone Broth Good for Fatty Liver?

Bone broth is good for fatty liver as a minor dietary addition, but it is not a treatment or cure. Fatty liver disease, including MASLD (previously called NAFLD), is best managed through sustained dietary change, weight loss and physical activity rather than any single food. Bone broth contains glycine, collagen and minerals that have shown some promise in animal studies, but robust human clinical trials in people with fatty liver disease remain limited. This article explains what the evidence actually shows, what the NHS recommends, and how bone broth fits into a liver-friendly diet safely.

What is fatty liver disease and how does diet affect it?

Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up in liver cells; diet drives both its development and management, with NICE NG49 recommending 7 to 10 per cent weight loss through dietary change as the most evidence-based intervention.

Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates within liver cells, and diet plays a central role in both its development and its management. The two main forms seen in the UK are metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). MASLD is the updated term for what NICE currently labels non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in its guidance, including NG49; the two terms refer to the same condition and you may see either used in clinical settings.^[1][2] MASLD is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, while ALD results directly from excessive alcohol consumption.

Diet influences fatty liver disease through several mechanisms. A diet high in ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, added sugars and saturated fats is associated with fat deposition in the liver and systemic inflammation. Conversely, a diet rich in whole foods, fibre, unsaturated fats and lean protein can reduce liver fat, improve insulin sensitivity and lower markers of liver inflammation over time.

NICE guidance (NG49) and EASL clinical practice guidelines both emphasise that sustained weight loss, in the region of 7 to 10 per cent of body weight achieved through dietary change and increased physical activity, is the most evidence-based intervention for reducing liver fat and preventing progression to fibrosis.^[1][4] No single food or supplement has been shown to replicate the benefit of an overall healthy dietary pattern, and this context is important when evaluating individual foods such as bone broth.

What is bone broth and what does it actually contain?

Bone broth contains collagen, gelatin, glycine and minerals extracted from simmered animal bones; glycine shows promise in animal studies for reducing liver fat, but human clinical evidence in fatty liver disease remains limited.

Bone broth is a liquid made by simmering animal bones, often with connective tissue and cartilage, in water for an extended period, typically several hours to more than a day. The prolonged cooking process extracts collagen, gelatin, amino acids (particularly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline), minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and small amounts of fat.

The collagen extracted during cooking breaks down into gelatin, which is a source of protein. Bone broth also contains the amino acid glycine, which has attracted research interest because of its potential role in liver metabolism and anti-inflammatory pathways. Some studies in animal models suggest glycine may help reduce hepatic fat accumulation and oxidative stress. Robust human clinical trials specifically in people with fatty liver disease remain limited, so these findings should be interpreted cautiously and do not support treating bone broth as a therapeutic product.

The nutritional composition of bone broth varies considerably depending on the type of bones used, cooking time, whether vegetables or herbs are added, and whether the broth is homemade or commercially produced. Commercial bone broths may also contain added sodium: the NHS recommends adults consume no more than 6 g of salt per day, and high-sodium products can make it difficult to stay within this limit, which is particularly relevant for people with liver disease.^[7] Bones can also accumulate environmental contaminants including lead, and prolonged simmering may extract trace amounts into the broth.^[8] The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors contaminant levels in foods and advises that a varied diet reduces exposure to any single source; the amounts typically found in bone broth are low, but people with compromised liver function may wish to be aware of this. Because bone broth is not a standardised medical product, the concentrations of bioactive compounds differ widely between preparations, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions from the available evidence.

Which foods and drinks does the NHS recommend for a fatty liver?

The NHS and EASL guidelines recommend a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fibre, lean protein and unsaturated fats, with reduced added sugars, refined carbohydrates and alcohol; bone broth is not included in official guidance.

The NHS recommends a balanced, whole-food diet as the cornerstone of managing fatty liver disease, with no single food singled out as a cure or primary treatment. Evidence-based dietary guidance for MASLD, including from EASL clinical practice guidelines and UK-relevant systematic reviews, supports a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern as having the strongest evidence base for reducing liver fat and improving metabolic markers, and this is reflected in advice from the British Liver Trust and many NHS clinicians.^[4]

Key dietary principles supported by NHS and NICE-aligned guidance include:

• Increasing fibre intake through vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, pulses and legumes

• Choosing lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, eggs, beans and lentils

• Replacing saturated fats (found in butter, fatty meat and full-fat dairy) with unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish

• Reducing added sugars and refined carbohydrates, including sugary drinks, white bread, pastries and confectionery

• Limiting or avoiding alcohol: the UK Chief Medical Officers advise that the low-risk guideline is no more than 14 units per week spread over three or more days, with several drink-free days; your hepatologist or GP may advise stricter limits or complete abstinence depending on the stage of your liver disease^[5][6]

• Reducing salt intake, particularly for those with more advanced liver disease

Coffee (without added sugar) has been associated in observational studies and meta-analyses with lower rates of liver fibrosis, and some NHS clinicians mention it as a potentially beneficial drink, though it is not a formal recommendation.^[9] Bone broth does not feature in NHS or NICE dietary guidance for fatty liver disease, and there is currently no official endorsement of it as a therapeutic food for this condition.

Are there any risks to drinking bone broth if you have liver disease?

Key risks include high sodium content in commercial broths, which can worsen fluid retention in cirrhosis, and trace contaminants such as lead extracted during prolonged simmering; seek medical advice before making significant dietary changes.

Bone broth is generally considered safe for most people, but there are specific considerations for individuals with liver disease that are worth understanding before making it a regular part of the diet.

Some potential considerations include:

• Sodium content: Many commercial bone broths are high in sodium. People with cirrhosis or portal hypertension are often advised to restrict salt intake to reduce the risk of fluid retention (ascites), so high-sodium broths could be counterproductive.^[4] Choosing low-salt products or making broth at home without added salt gives you more control.

• Contaminants: Bones can accumulate environmental contaminants including lead, and prolonged simmering may extract trace amounts into the broth.^[8] The FSA advises that a varied diet limits exposure to any single source; the amounts typically found in bone broth are low, but people with compromised liver function may wish to factor this in.

• Protein intake: Current EASL and BSG guidance discourages routine protein restriction in people with cirrhosis or hepatic encephalopathy.^[4] Adequate protein intake is generally recommended to support muscle mass and recovery. If you have been given specific dietary advice by a hepatologist or dietitian, follow their guidance rather than restricting protein unnecessarily.

• Purines: Bone broth contains purines, which may be relevant for people who also have gout, a condition that can co-exist with metabolic liver disease.

If you develop any of the following symptoms, seek urgent medical attention. Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department if you experience yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) that appears or worsens rapidly, vomiting blood or passing black tarry stools, sudden confusion or extreme drowsiness, or severe abdominal pain or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling. Contact NHS 111 or your GP promptly for symptoms that are new or worsening but not immediately life-threatening.

If you have been diagnosed with liver disease and are considering significant dietary changes, speak with your GP or a registered dietitian before doing so.

Practical dietary changes that support liver health in the UK

A whole-food, Mediterranean-style diet with increased vegetables, oily fish, olive oil and wholegrains, combined with weight loss, offers the strongest evidence for improving liver fat and metabolic markers in MASLD.

The most effective dietary approach for fatty liver disease is a sustained shift towards a whole-food, plant-forward diet rather than reliance on any single food or supplement. Evidence consistently supports the Mediterranean dietary pattern as beneficial for liver fat reduction, insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk, all of which are relevant in MASLD.

Practical steps that align with NHS and NICE guidance include:

• Swapping ultra-processed snacks for nuts, seeds, fruit or plain yoghurt

• Cooking with olive oil instead of butter or lard

• Eating oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel or sardines) up to two portions per week; the NHS advises that women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding should limit oily fish to two portions per week, and that other adults can eat up to four portions per week, so check NHS fish and shellfish guidance for your circumstances^[10][11]

• Increasing vegetable intake to at least five portions per day, prioritising variety

• Reducing portion sizes of starchy carbohydrates and choosing wholegrain versions where possible

• Staying well hydrated with water or unsweetened drinks

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight: evidence supports that weight loss of around 5 per cent of body weight can measurably reduce liver fat, and losses of 7 to 10 per cent are associated with more substantial improvements in liver histology per NICE NG49 and EASL guidelines^[1][4]

If your GP suspects significant liver disease, they may arrange a FIB-4 blood test as a first-line non-invasive assessment of fibrosis risk. Depending on the result, further tests such as an enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test or FibroScan may be arranged, and referral to a hepatologist or specialist dietitian considered. NICE NG49 and BSG guidance set out the thresholds used in primary care to guide these decisions. If liver disease is progressing or dietary changes alone are not achieving the desired results, ask your GP about referral to a specialist service.

Bone broth can be included as part of a varied diet and may contribute useful protein and amino acids, but it should be viewed as one small component rather than a treatment. Homemade, low-sodium versions are preferable to high-salt commercial products for people with liver disease.

For people managing weight as part of their liver health, a structured approach with professional support is recommended. Bolt Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered UK online pharmacy offering online weight-management consultations, with prescriber review and pharmacist support, which may be one avenue to explore alongside NHS care.

Scientific References

1. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): assessment and management (NG49).
2. Scope for guideline update (GID-NG10434) – Final Scope 2.
3. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
4. EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
5. Alcohol consumption: advice on low risk drinking.
6. Delivering Better Oral Health – Chapter 12: Alcohol.
7. Salt in your diet.
8. The risk of lead contamination in bone broth diets (Monro JA et al.).
9. Effect of Coffee Consumption on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Ebadi M et al.).
10. Fish and shellfish nutrition.
11. Foods to avoid in pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions