World Liver Day 2025: 19 April – \”Food is Medicine\” – But for whom? The accessibility problem in nutrition and liver health
World Liver Day is a joint annual campaign by the Healthy Livers, Healthy Lives Coalition of global associations dedicated to the study of the liver and liver diseases (EASL, AASLD, ALEH, APASL, and SOLDA), working collaboratively to raise awareness and promote liver health worldwide.
World Liver Day 2025, observed on 19 April, emphasises the pivotal role of nutrition in maintaining liver health under the theme “Food is Medicine.”
Join us in highlighting how a balanced diet can prevent disease and support optimal liver function!
The liver is a vital organ
The liver is responsible for over 500 vital functions in the body, from detoxifying harmful substances to breaking down the nutrients of the foods you eat, the liver acts as the filter for the whole body. Without a healthy liver, toxins accumulate, nutrient absorption falters, and metabolism weakens, impacting overall health.
MASLD: a growing global health challenge
If fat makes up more than 5% of the liver’s weight, it can cause inflammation, scarring, and cancer, with Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) linked to diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. MASLD is often silent in its early stages, so ask your doctor about an elastography scan for early detection.
Food is Medicine
Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can significantly reduce liver fat, curb inflammation, and even reverse early liver damage. The Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy fats and nutrients, can boost insulin sensitivity and protect your liver—small changes that make a big impact!
“Food is medicine.” It’s a phrase we hear often in discussions about health and prevention and it’s the theme of World Liver Day 2025. The idea is simple: the right nutrition can help prevent and even manage chronic diseases, from diabetes to liver conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). But what happens when access to nutritious food is limited?
For millions of people worldwide, food insecurity makes the idea of using food as medicine feel more like a privilege than a practical reality. The issue goes beyond hunger—it’s about lacking consistent access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods. This challenge is particularly urgent in communities already facing higher risks of chronic diseases, including liver disease.
In fact, recent insights show how food insecurity and poor nutrition contribute to a “silent epidemic” of liver conditions, with obesity and unhealthy diets playing a major role.
If we’re serious about promoting food as a tool for better health, it’s time to confront the accessibility problem. Who truly has the option to eat for their health—and who is being left behind?
Attempt the recipe below, or pick one from the World Liver Day recipe book! Post on social media, tag our channels (Instagram, LinkedIn, X), and #WorldLiverDay!
To participate in World Liver Day 2025 and access campaign materials, visit the official website at https://worldliverday.org. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #WorldLiverDay and #FoodIsMedicine to share your experiences and support for liver health initiatives.
For more information and inquiries, please contact worldliverday@easloffice.eu.
Download the assets.
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Campaign toolkit.
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Join us on April 19, 2025, to celebrate World Liver Day and promote the message that “Food is Medicine” for a healthier liver and a healthier life.
The World Liver Day activities carried out under the umbrella of Healthy Livers, Healthy Lives, are supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, Echosens, MSD, and Novo Nordisk. Our industry partners have had no input into the content of the World Liver Day activities.