Gut Microbiota and Liver Health: The Role of Resistant Starch in Ameliorating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

² Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China; School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China,

JCNR 2026 , 10(3), 248–259; https://doi.org/10.26689/jcnr.v10i3.14630

© 2026 by the Authors. Licensee Whioce Publishing, Singapore. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

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Abstract

With lifestyle changes, the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which accompanied by obesity, has been steadily increasing rising and has become the most common chronic liver disease. MAFLD is a multisystem condition that heightens the risk of liver disease and is concomitantly linked to an increased risk of other metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular and renal diseases. Research indicates that resistant starch (RS), a natural compound, influences MAFLD by dietary intervention, regulation of blood glucose and lipids, and reduction of inflammation. These studies augment our comprehension of the processes through which RS ameliorates MAFLD related disorders. This article examines recent research on the role of gut microbiota in enhancing the condition and progression of MAFLD, along with the therapeutic effects of RS. This study also analyzes the prospective advantages and obstacles of employing RS to treat MAFLD patients. Overall, the available evidence suggests that RS significantly improves MAFLD via the gut microbiota. However, these effects vary depending on the type of RS, the patient population, and gender. We recommend that future studies refine RS classification and usage conditions to optimize its application in MAFLD treatment.

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