Table 3.

Suggested research priorities

Nutrient of interest	Research question
Protein	1. Does plant-based protein offer any benefit over lean animal protein (i.e., chicken/fish) in the prevention of NAFLD, cirrhosis, HCC, or liver-related mortality?
	2. What is the impact of red and processed meat, lean meat, and plant protein on the histologic features of NASH?
Carbohydrate	1. Does a diet high in whole grains offer any protection against NAFLD and progression to cirrhosis, HCC, or liver-related mortality?
	2. What is the impact of refined versus unrefined carbohydrates on the histologic features of NASH?
	3. What is the impact of a diet low in free sugars on the histologic features of NASH?
Fiber	1. Are high fiber diets protective from developing NAFLD, cirrhosis, HCC, or liver-related mortality?
	2. Can increasing fiber in the diet reduce hepatic steatosis and improve histologic features of NASH, with or without weight loss?
	3. Is there a difference in the impact of insoluble and soluble fiber on reversing NAFLD?
Fat	1. Can diets high in unsaturated fat prevent fibrosis progression or even reverse fibrosis?
	2. What is the impact of saturated versus unsaturated fat on the histologic features of NASH?
Diets	1. Can a plant-based diet reverse histologic features of NASH without weight loss?
	2. Can any of these diets lead to fibrosis reversal without weight loss?
	3. Are these diets sustainable in this population long term?

NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.