Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common
chronic liver disease, is a multifactorial disease resulting from
the interaction between environment, genetic background, and metabolic
stress. Most treatments for NAFLD include dietary intervention and
exercise show limited efficacy due to the complex mechanisms involved
in NAFLD. Meanwhile, drug therapy is accompanied by serious side effects.
The development of high-efficiency natural supplements is a sustainable
strategy for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. As the second
most consumed beverage, tea has health benefits that have been widely
recognized. Nevertheless, the intervention of tea active compounds
in NAFLD has received limited attention. Tea contains abundant bioactive
compounds with potential effects on NAFLD, such as catechins, flavonoids,
theanine, tea pigments, and tea polysaccharides. We reviewed the intrinsic
and environmental factors and pathogenic mechanisms that affect the
occurrence and development of NAFLD, and summarized the influences
of exercise, drugs, diet, and tea drinking on NAFLD. On this basis,
we further analyzed the potential effects and molecular regulatory
mechanisms of tea active compounds on NAFLD and proposed future development
directions. This review hopes to provide novel insights into the development
and application of tea active compounds in the prevention and treatment
of NAFLD.