A single 30-minute aerobic exercise session at 50% of VO2max is associated with a statistically significant reduction in intrahepatic triglyceride content from 16.0% to 14.2% and intramyocellular triglyceride content from 2.2% to 1.3% in obese adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy immediately after exercise.

During moderate exercise, the body releases signals that tell fat cells in the liver and muscles to break down their stored fat into fatty acids. These fatty acids are sent to the energy factories inside cells, where they are burned to make energy. This process uses up the fat stored in liver and muscle cells faster than it can be replaced, so the amount of fat in those cells drops quickly.