Artichoke Extract Helps Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Rates of obesity and of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are on the rise. Artichoke is a powerful natural remedy for the liver. This study put artichoke to the test against overweight people with NAFLD.

As many as 90% of people who undergo bariatric surgery for obesity have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the new name for NAFLD.

Previous research has shown that artichoke extract can reduce hepatic stenosis, the excess fat in your liver, and decrease liver size in nonobese people with MASLD (J Diagn Med Sonogr. 2022; 38:540-547). This single-blind, placebo-controlled study included 40 people with MASLD who were overweight and scheduled for bariatric surgery. Each was given either a placebo or 2,600mg of artichoke extract standardized for 2.5% cynarine. The study lasted for 6 weeks.

While liver stenosis in the placebo group did not improve, it improved significantly in the artichoke group. Stenosis severity improved significantly more in the artichoke group.

While liver size was not reduced in the placebo, it was significantly reduced in the artichoke group. The size of the liver was significantly smaller in the artichoke group.

This study continues to establish artichoke as an important herb for liver health. Specifically, this study suggests that artichoke extract can reduce liver stenosis and liver size in overweight people with MASLD.

Journal of Clinical Lipidology. January 2026;20(1):167-78.