WASHINGTON D.C. (USA): A Mediterranean style diet - known to be good for the heart - could also be beneficial for patients with liver cirrhosis as it is said to improve gut microbial diversity. Diet rich in vegetables and fermented milk products such as yoghurt, along with coffee, tea and chocolate, is associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation in liver cirrhosis patients, according to a study. Liver cirrhosis is a major, growing, and largely preventable cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than one million deaths globally per year. The risk of death from liver cirrhosis differs markedly between countries, driven primarily by alcohol consumption, the type and quality of alcohol consumed, and the presence of viral hepatitis B and C infections. In contrast, in the US cohort, diversity was highest in the control group and lowest amongst those with decompensated cirrhosis.

Source: Economic Times April 13, 2018 10:41 UTC