CBD and CBG Reversed Fatty Liver Markers in New Study From Hebrew University
The cannabis compounds improved blood sugar control and reduced harmful lipids through two distinct cellular mechanisms, researchers reported.
By CBDWorldNews Editorial Staff | April 22, 2026
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have published findings showing that CBD and CBG — two non-intoxicating cannabis compounds — can address key markers of fatty liver disease by repairing cellular energy systems and reactivating waste-clearing enzymes. The study, published March 5 in the British Journal of Pharmacology, adds weight to a growing body of evidence that cannabinoids may play a role in metabolic health.
The Scale of the Problem
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, affects roughly one-third of adults worldwide. The condition occurs when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, leading to inflammation, scarring, and in severe cases, liver failure. Despite its prevalence, approved pharmaceutical treatments remain limited, making alternative therapeutic pathways a priority for researchers.
What the Study Found
A team led by Prof. Joseph (Yossi) Tam at the School of Pharmacy within the Faculty of Medicine identified two mechanisms through which CBD and CBG protect liver cells from fat-related damage.
The first involves the energy system inside cells. Both compounds increased phosphocreatine levels — what the researchers described as “an emergency energy supply” — helping liver cells withstand the metabolic stress caused by high-fat diets. By restoring this backup energy reserve, the compounds allowed cells to maintain normal function under conditions that would otherwise cause damage.
The second mechanism targets cellular cleanup. CBD and CBG reactivated cathepsins, enzymes found inside lysosomes that break down harmful waste materials. In fatty liver disease, these cleanup enzymes become sluggish, allowing toxic byproducts to accumulate. The cannabinoids essentially restarted the cells’ internal waste disposal system.
“Both compounds restored energy handling and waste removal in liver cells damaged by high-fat diets,” the research team reported.
CBG Outperformed CBD in Several Measures
While both compounds showed positive effects, the study found that CBG delivered stronger results in several metabolic categories. CBG was superior at reducing body fat mass, increasing insulin sensitivity, and lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Both compounds improved blood sugar control and reduced triglycerides and ceramides — harmful lipids that contribute to liver damage and cardiovascular risk.
The distinction between the two cannabinoids matters for product development. While CBD has dominated the consumer market, CBG has been gaining attention as hemp cultivators develop high-CBG strains and manufacturers launch CBG-specific products. This study provides some of the clearest evidence yet that CBG may offer distinct advantages for specific health concerns.
Dr. Liad Hinden, a co-author on the paper, and PhD student Radka Kočvarová contributed to the research, which used advanced metabolic analysis tools to track how the compounds alter liver cell behavior at the molecular level.
Context and Limitations
The study adds to earlier research suggesting cannabinoids interact with metabolic pathways in ways that go beyond the endocannabinoid system’s well-studied effects on pain and anxiety. However, the findings come from preclinical work, and human clinical trials will be needed before any treatment claims can be made.
The research does not suggest that over-the-counter CBD or CBG supplements can treat liver disease. Anyone concerned about liver health should consult a physician. That said, the study opens a clear research pathway that could eventually lead to cannabinoid-based therapies for MASLD — potentially the first drug specifically targeting this widespread condition.
For consumers interested in the differences between CBD and CBG products currently available, understanding what third-party lab tests measure and how product labels reflect cannabinoid content is important context for making informed choices.
Industry Implications
The hemp industry has been watching CBG closely. High-CBG hemp strains have become more commercially viable in recent years, and several major brands have introduced CBG tinctures, capsules, and topicals. If clinical research continues to identify specific advantages for CBG in metabolic health, demand for CBG-rich products could accelerate — creating both opportunities and quality concerns that the industry will need to address.
For now, the Hebrew University study represents a meaningful step forward in understanding how cannabis compounds interact with one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
