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Analysis of institutional authors

Esmel, EvAuthorMeseguer, EsCorresponding Author

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Review

Overview of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Role of Sugary Food Consumption and Other Dietary Components in Its Development

Publicated to:Nutrients. 13 (5): 1442- - 2021-05-01 13(5), DOI: 10.3390/nu13051442

Authors: Lujan, PV; Esmel, EV; Meseguer, ES

Affiliations

Hosp Clin Barcelona, Dept Internal Med, Villarroel 170, Barcelona 08036, Spain - Author
Inst Invest Biomed August Pi i Sunyer IDIBAPS, Rossello 149, Barcelona 08036, Spain - Author

Abstract

NAFLD is the world's most common chronic liver disease, and its increasing prevalence parallels the global rise in diabetes and obesity. It is characterised by fat accumulation in the liver evolving to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory subtype that can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Currently, there is no effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment for NAFLD. Treatment is therefore based on lifestyle modifications including changes to diet and exercise, although it is unclear what the most effective form of intervention is. The aim of this review, then, is to discuss the role of specific nutrients and the effects of different dietary interventions on NAFLD. It is well established that an unhealthy diet rich in calories, sugars, and saturated fats and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, and micronutrients plays a critical role in the development and progression of this disease. However, few clinical trials have evaluated the effects of nutrition interventions on NAFLD. We, therefore, summarise what is currently known about the effects of macronutrients, foods, and dietary patterns on NAFLD prevention and treatment. Most current guidelines recommend low-calorie, plant-based diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, as the most effective dietary pattern to treat NAFLD. More clinical trials are required, however, to identify the best evidence-based dietary treatment approach.

Keywords

cardiovascular diseasediabetesfatty acidsfructosemediterranean dietmetabolic syndromenafldnashnutritionAdministration and dosageAdverse eventCarbohydrate intakeCardiovascular diseaseComorbidityDash dietDiabetesDietDiet therapyDiet, mediterraneanDietary patternDietary sugarsExerciseFat intakeFatty acidsFiber intakeFructoseFructose restrictionGut microbiotaHealth-benefitsHepatic steatosisHumanHumansIntermittent fastingIntestine floraKetogenic dietLife styleLifestyleLifestyle modificationMacronutrientMediterranean dietMetabolic disorderMetabolic syndromeNafldNashNon-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseNonalcoholic fatty liverNonalcoholic steatohepatitisNutrientNutritionPathogenesisPathologyPhysical-activityPlant-based dietsPolyunsaturated fatty acidPractice guidelineProceduresPrognosisProteinProtein intakeReviewRisk factorRisk factorsSaturated fatSaturated fatty acidSugar intakeTerm weight-lossTrace elementUnhealthy dietVegan dietVegetarian diet

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Nutrients due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position 15/90, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Nutrition & Dietetics.

This publication has been distinguished as a “Highly Cited Paper” by the agencies WoS (ESI, Clarivate) and ESI (Clarivate), meaning that it ranks within the top 1% of the most cited articles in its thematic field during the year of its publication. In terms of the observed impact of the contribution, this work is considered one of the most influential worldwide, as it is recognized as highly cited. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

And this is evidenced by the extremely high normalized impacts through some of the main indicators of this type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of calculation, already indicate that they are well above the average in different agencies:

  • Normalization of citations relative to the expected citation rate (ESI) by the Clarivate agency: 5.74 (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)
  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 7.73 (source consulted: FECYT Feb 2024)
  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 37.32 (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-17, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 100
  • Scopus: 136
  • Europe PMC: 39
  • OpenCitations: 103

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-17:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 351.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 350 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 37.35.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 1 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 59 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Lujan, PV) and Last Author (Sacanella Meseguer, Emilio).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Sacanella Meseguer, Emilio.