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 undergoing bariatric surgery for obesity also have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—the updated name for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Growing research suggests that artichoke extract may offer meaningful support for liver health. Previous studies have shown that artichoke extract can help reduce hepatic steatosis—the buildup of excess fat in the liver—and may also decrease liver size in non-obese individuals with MASLD (J Diagn Med Sonogr. 2022;38:540-547).

A more recent single-blind, placebo-controlled study examined this effect in people who were overweight and preparing for bariatric surgery. The trial included 40 participants with MASLD, who were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or 2,600 mg of artichoke extract standardized to 2.5% cynarine for six weeks.

The results were notable. While the placebo group showed no meaningful improvement in liver steatosis, participants taking artichoke extract experienced significant reductions in liver fat. The severity of steatosis improved markedly, and researchers also observed a significant reduction in liver size in the artichoke group—an effect not seen in the placebo group.

These findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting artichoke as a valuable herb for liver health. In particular, the study suggests that artichoke extract may help reduce liver fat and decrease liver size in overweight individuals with MASLD.

Source: Journal of Clinical Lipidology. January 2026;20(1):167-178.