The consumption of dehydrated fruits —such as raisins, cranberries, or dates—is often considered part of a balanced diet, but for those with nonalcoholic fatty liver They represent a little-known risk.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the United States (NIDDK/NIH) recommends avoiding foods with high concentrations of simple sugarsespecially the fructoseto prevent and treat lipid accumulation in the liver.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the United States warns that liver It is the main organ responsible for metabolizing fructose.

When a person consumes large amounts of this sugar, the organ transforms it into fat through the process known as de novo lipogenesis. “Fructose is free in soft drinks, sports drinks and juices; but it is also exponentially concentrated in fruits when dehydrated,” explain specialists in clinical nutrition at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

While a cup of fresh grapes distributes its sugar along with a large amount of water, a cup of raisins contains up to five times more fructose in the same volume, making it easier for the patient to exceed their daily metabolic limit without feeling full.

Institutions such as MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic agree that the management of fatty liver must be based on a Mediterranean style dietrich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and low in simple sugars.

Both sources suggest restricting high-calorie-dense products and quickly absorbed sugars, including dried fruits.

The Mayo Clinic clarifies that, for a healthy person, the recommended serving of dried fruit should be very small (about a quarter cup).

In patients with fatty liver, the indication is to avoid its regular consumption and prefer pieces of whole fruit with peel, which provide fiber and help slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.

It is essential Do not confuse dehydrated fruits with dried fruits.

The dried fruits —such as walnuts, almonds and pistachios— not only are they not associated with liver damage, but, according to the Mayo Clinic and gastroenterology guidelines, they can be part of a strategy to reverse fatty liver due to their contribution of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E, which help reduce liver inflammation.

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) establishes in its clinical guidelines that the diet for people with fatty liver should focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting simple sugars.

Although the IMSS manuals do not explicitly mention dehydrated fruits, they prioritize the consumption of fresh foods with high water content.

This excludes dehydrated products, in which natural sugars are highly concentrated.

Mexican and international clinical practice guidelines agree on the following measures to stop the progression of fatty liver:

• Consume whole, fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, berries or citrus fruits, to ensure fiber and water intake.
• Avoid juices, even natural ones, as well as dehydrated fruits, jams and honeys, because they concentrate simple sugars.
• Control portions. The fact that a food is natural does not mean that it is free of metabolic risk, especially if it has been concentrated or processed.

The current knowledge about the hepatic metabolism confirms that the best strategy to control this disease is to identify foods that, under the appearance of “healthy”, can sabotage the recovery of the liver.

Evidence shows that dried fruit, due to its high density of natural sugars, should be avoided in people with fatty liver, while nuts can be part of a protective diet.