New evidence
Artichoke leaf extract shrank fatty liver and its volume in a 6-week trial — but also nudged a liver enzyme upward.
This is the first controlled test of artichoke for fatty liver, and while the results are promising, a single small pilot study in a specific clinical population isn't enough to act on — especially since the same extract unexpectedly raised a marker of liver stress.
In a 6-week trial of people with obesity and MASLD awaiting bariatric surgery, artichoke leaf extract reduced liver fat (measured by CAP values) and shrank liver size compared to placebo. But it also increased levels of AST, a liver enzyme, suggesting the liver response wasn't purely positive — the benefit came with a trade-off that needs more study.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Artichoke for Improved Liver Steatosis — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- 2026-01
- Journal of clinical lipidology
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.