Healthy liver surrounded by nutritious food

Liver Health: Can Your Diet Really Reduce Liver Cancer Risk?

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how simple dietary adjustments, focusing on the AHEI-2010 index, can significantly impact your liver health and lower your risk of hepatocellular carcinoma."

In an era where health concerns dominate headlines, liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a growing threat. Globally recognized as the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, liver cancer demands attention. In the United States alone, the incidence of liver cancer is rapidly escalating, with projections estimating over 42,200 new cases in 2018. What's more concerning is that most individuals are diagnosed at a late stage, diminishing their chances of successful treatment.

While established risk factors like chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV/HCV) infections, obesity, type 2 diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, and exposure to aflatoxins are well-known, the identification of modifiable risk factors is crucial. This is where the power of diet comes into play. A growing body of research suggests that dietary patterns can significantly influence the development and progression of various cancers, including HCC.

This article delves into the groundbreaking findings of a recent study that explores the intricate relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of HCC. We'll uncover how specific dietary approaches, such as the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), can potentially mitigate your risk. Get ready to discover actionable steps you can take to safeguard your liver health and reduce your susceptibility to this formidable disease.

Decoding the Dietary Patterns: AHEI-2010 and AMED

Healthy liver surrounded by nutritious food

The study meticulously examined the impact of three key dietary patterns: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). These patterns were chosen for their widespread use and established health benefits.

Researchers analyzed data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses' Health Study, two large-scale prospective cohort studies involving U.S. men and women. Dietary information was collected every four years using validated food frequency questionnaires, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of long-term dietary habits.

Here's a brief overview of each dietary pattern:

AHEI-2010: Consists of 11 components, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and limited amounts of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats.
AMED: Emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and a high ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat, with limited red and processed meat.
DASH: Focuses on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, while limiting sodium, red meat, and sugary beverages.

The results revealed a compelling association between adherence to the AHEI-2010 and a reduced risk of HCC. Participants in the highest tertile of AHEI-2010 scores exhibited a significantly lower risk compared to those in the lowest tertile. While AMED showed a suggestive inverse association, DASH did not demonstrate a significant impact on HCC risk. Further analysis pinpointed specific components of the AHEI-2010, such as light alcohol consumption, nut and legume intake, and polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, as key contributors to the observed risk reduction.

Take Control of Your Liver Health Today

The evidence is clear: what you eat can significantly impact your risk of developing liver cancer. By embracing a dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, while limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol, you can take proactive steps to protect your liver health. The AHEI-2010 diet, with its emphasis on balanced nutrition and mindful food choices, offers a powerful tool for reducing your risk of HCC and promoting overall well-being. While further research is always valuable, these findings provide a compelling reason to prioritize healthy eating habits as a cornerstone of liver cancer prevention.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/hep.30362, Alternate LINK

Title: Dietary Patterns And Risk Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among U.S. Men And Women

Subject: Hepatology

Journal: Hepatology

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Yanan Ma, Wanshui Yang, Tracey G. Simon, Stephanie A. Smith-Warner, Teresa T. Fung, Jing Sui, Dawn Chong, Trang Vopham, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Deliang Wen, Edward L. Giovannucci, Andrew T. Chan, Xuehong Zhang

Published: 2019-03-05

Everything You Need To Know

What is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and why is it a growing health concern?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer. It is recognized as the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The incidence of HCC is increasing, including in the United States, where most cases are diagnosed at a late stage, reducing the chances of successful treatment. While risk factors like hepatitis B and C, obesity, and alcohol abuse are known, dietary modifications are emerging as crucial for prevention.

What are the main components of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary patterns?

The Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) is a dietary pattern comprised of 11 components that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, while limiting red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats. The Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED) emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and a high ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat, with limited red and processed meat. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) focuses on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, while limiting sodium, red meat, and sugary beverages.

According to the study, what impact do the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) have on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk?

The study showed that adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) is associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Participants with the highest AHEI-2010 scores had a significantly lower risk of HCC compared to those with the lowest scores. While the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED) showed a potential inverse association, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) did not demonstrate a significant impact on HCC risk. Specific components of the AHEI-2010, such as light alcohol consumption, nut and legume intake, and polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, were identified as key contributors to risk reduction.

What specific dietary changes can I make to improve my liver health and reduce my risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), based on the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) pattern?

To improve liver health and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one should embrace a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, similar to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) pattern. It also involves limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol consumption. Making mindful food choices and maintaining a balanced diet are essential steps in protecting liver health.

What further research is needed to strengthen the understanding of the relationship between diet and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk, and what are the potential implications of these findings?

While this suggests a correlation between diet, particularly the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and to confirm these findings in diverse populations. Future studies could explore the impact of specific nutrients and food combinations, as well as the influence of genetics and lifestyle factors, on the relationship between diet and liver cancer risk. Additionally, intervention trials are necessary to establish causality and to develop evidence-based dietary guidelines for liver cancer prevention.