Fact Check: Is Amla, dried plums and tamarind water in 15 days a permanent solution for fatty liver?

The claim that Indian gooseberry, dried plums and tamarind water in 15 days is permanent solution for fatty liver made by an Instagram user is FALSE.

Claim

It is claimed in an Instagram post that consuming a mixture of Indian gooseberry, dried plums, and tamarind water can provide a permanent solution for fatty liver. The post by satinder.mutneja titled as permanent solution for fatty liver in just 15 days suggests that fatty liver can lead to conditions like jaundice and typhoid, which are becoming increasingly common among men, women, and children. To manage this condition, the post advises consuming lassi, diluted milk, avoiding outside food, fried food, alcohol, and reducing caffeine intake, while eating simple meals. As per the user a home remedy involving soaking 4 pieces of amla, aloo bhukhara and tamarind in water and drinking it empty stomach after straining and the results will be visible within 15 days. The post has 6,735 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

This claim is FALSE.

What is Fatty Liver?

As per American Liver Foundation, "Fatty liver disease, also known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver, and it is considered a “silent” disease due to its lack of symptoms in most cases. While the causes are still being studied, research points to a combination of genetics, digestive disorders, and dietary factors. Unlike alcohol-associated liver disease, NAFLD is not caused by heavy alcohol use. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, traits of metabolic syndrome, and older age. A more severe form of NAFLD is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which involves both inflammation and liver damage. NAFLD can be categorized into two types: nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

NAFLD is one of the most prevalent causes of liver disease in the U.S., affecting an estimated 24% of adults, with 20-30% having excess fat in their liver. In the U.S., between 80 and 100 million people have NAFLD, and nearly 25% of these individuals may progress to NASH, a condition that leads to cirrhosis or liver failure in about 11% of cases. Globally, NAFLD is the leading cause of liver disease, with estimates of one billion people affected worldwide. Among overweight individuals, NAFLD is present in 75%, and the prevalence rises to more than 90% among those with severe obesity."

Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and Co-founder of Rang De Neela initiative explained, "Fatty liver disease happens when fat tends to build up in the liver, which can damage it over time. The two main types of fatty liver disease are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease which will require timely intervention.

Today NAFLD has a new name and its called as MASLD ( Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease)The causes behind fatty liver disease are obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, a diet loaded with fats, and alcohol, and eating carbohydrates in large quantities.

Fatty liver occurs because of wrong deposition of fat in the liver and sometimes its the harbinger for Type2 Diabetes amd Cardiovascular disease. Fatty liver is a common occurrence in the age group 25-45 now. Hence, it is better to initiate prompt treatment after the symptoms are seen. Delaying treatment can worsen one’s condition."

Dr Uday Sanglodkar, Senior Consultant Hepatologist and Clinical lead liver and transplant ICU, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai talked about the several stages of fatty liver and he highlighted. "There are several stages :

• Simple fatty liver (steatosis): During this stage, there is a build-up of fat in the liver cells that will be detected during tests.

• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): It Is a form of fatty liver disease wherein liver inflammation is seen in patients

• Fibrosis: The constant inflammation causes scar tissue to form around the liver and nearby blood vessels, however, the liver can function in a normal way."

Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry, Dried Plums and Tamarind

Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) commonly known as amla, is a tree native to India and Southeast Asia, recognized for its fruits that are abundant in bioactive compounds. In the review published in Nutrients it was found that polyphenols are key components of the amla fruit and other parts of the tree, along with high levels of vitamin C. The combination of polyphenols and vitamin C provides significant antioxidant properties, supporting improved antioxidant capacity and enhancing the body's natural defense systems.

M Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis et. al. found that Dried plums are rich in sorbitol, quinic acid, chlorogenic acids, vitamin K1, boron, copper, and potassium. The combined action of these and other compounds, present in smaller amounts in dried plums, may offer health benefits when consumed regularly. Eating dried plums as a snack may enhance feelings of fullness and reduce subsequent food intake, which can aid in managing obesity, diabetes, and associated cardiovascular conditions.

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) has been traditionally used to treat various conditions such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, wounds, malaria, fever, constipation, inflammation, cell toxicity, gonorrhea, and eye disorders. Known for its rich phytochemical content, tamarind is reported to exhibit multiple beneficial properties, including antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antivenom, antioxidant, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, anti asthmatic, and laxative effects.

Is Indian gooseberry, dried plums and tamarind water in 15 days a permanent solution for fatty liver?

No scientific evidence supports the claim that Indian gooseberry, dried plums and tamarind water in 15 days a permanent solution for fatty liver. Fatty liver can be reversed but it cannot be cured.

A paper published in Advances in Nutrition outlines five key dietary recommendations for preventing and managing fatty liver disease. These include: adopting traditional diets like the Mediterranean diet; reducing excess fructose intake and avoiding processed foods and drinks with added fructose; replacing saturated fats (SFAs) with polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), especially long-chain omega-3s, and monounsaturated fats (MUFAs); swapping processed and fast foods, commercial bakery items, and sweets for high-fiber, unprocessed foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds; and limiting alcohol consumption. Improving overall diet quality may help reduce the onset and progression of NAFLD and its risk factors, with much of the benefit likely stemming from the combined impact of these dietary habits.

Tiziana Fernández and colleagues concluded that lifestyle modifications are effective in treating NAFLD, with the combination of diet and exercise proving more beneficial than either intervention alone in improving liver enzyme levels and HOMA-IR (a marker of insulin resistance).

Dr Uday Sanglodkar, Senior Consultant Hepatologist and Clinical lead liver and transplant ICU, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai responded to the claim and explained, "Indian gooseberry is known to be loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C that protect the liver from damage and oxidative stress, it is believed to help the liver filter toxins and it is anti-inflammatory and helps control inflammation and prevent conditions like fatty liver disease and claims to cure jaundice. Moreover, dried plums and tamarind water are claimed to cure fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis. Don't believe any magical drink such as gooseberry, dried plums, and tamarind water is promoted on social media. This is not at all a permanent solution for fatty liver. Fatty liver treatment will require a multidisciplinary approach including a well-balanced diet, exercise, stress-free techniques, and weight management. Don’t rely on any home remedies and follow the advice given by the doctor only. These ingredients if taken regularly and in large quantities can do more harm than good."

Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and Co-founder of Rang De Neela initiative further added, "Indian gooseberry, dried plums and tamarind water none of them are to be used for NAFLD. Resmetirom, is a thyroid hormone receptor-beta agonist for the treatment of adults with noncirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with moderate to advanced liver scarring (fibrosis), to be used along with diet and exercise. It is the only approved treatment for NAFLD. Pioglitazone which is an insulin sensitiser and GLP1 Analogues are the other drugs used in NAFLD."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

No scientific evidence or medical consensus suggests that Indian gooseberry (amla), dried plums, or tamarind water alone can provide a permanent solution for fatty liver disease and even fix fatty liver in 15 days. While these foods are rich in bioactive compounds with potential health benefits such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory properties they cannot replace comprehensive treatment strategies. Effective management of NAFLD typically involves lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet (such as the Mediterranean diet), regular exercise, and reducing fructose and alcohol consumption. These foods may support overall liver health but should be viewed as part of a broader dietary and lifestyle approach rather than a standalone or permanent cure.

Thus, the claim is FALSE.