People who eat a Mediterranean diet may boost heart health and optimal blood sugar, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Now, new research suggests that this way of eating may also support the liver.

The NIH defines a Mediterranean diet as one that includes lots of plant-based food, small amounts of meat or chicken, more fish than red meat, olive oil and simple seasoning without gravy or sauces. These foods increase one's intake of fiber and good fat.

Researchers from Australia conducted an experiment in which they investigated the effects of the Mediterranean diet on patients who had a liver condition that usually could only be remedied by weight loss. The results showed that after 12 weeks, patients who ate the Mediterranean diet had healthier measurements of liver health, including blood sugar, when compared to other individuals who were put on Australia's National Heart Foundation Diet.

"This was demonstrated without weight loss, thus suggesting that a change in macronutrient intake alone without weight loss can improve metabolic health," said researcher Marno Ryan, MBBS, M.D.

The study was presented at the meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

People who eat a Mediterranean diet need to be cognizant of increasing their intake of iron, vitamin C and calcium, according to the NIH.