Moderate Wine Drinking Is Associated with Decreased Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Since heavy drinking is a major risk factor for cirrhosis, most physicians are reluctant to allow consumption of any alcohol among patients with liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To determine whether a relationship exists between moderate alcohol consumption (≤10g of alcohol per day) and NAFLD, researchers analyzed data from 7211 nondrinkers and moderate drinkers of wine (n=945), beer (n=2237), liquor (n=688), and mixed drinks (n=673) who participated in the 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Multivariable analysis was adjusted for age, gender, race, neighborhood, income, education, caffeine intake, and physical activity. Suspected NAFLD was based on unexplained serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation using both the NHANES III reference laboratory cut point (ALT>43) and the 95th percentile of healthy subjects cut point (ALT>30 for men and >19 for women).

• Using the reference-laboratory cut point, suspected NAFLD was observed in 3.2% of nondrinkers and 0.4% of participants who reported moderate wine consumption (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.15).

• Using the healthy-subject cut point, suspected NAFLD was observed in 14.3% of nondrinkers and 8.6% of participants who reported moderate wine consumption (OR, 0.51).

• No significant effects were seen for moderate consumers of beer or spirits.

Comments:

These results indicate that moderate wine consumption may have a protective effect against NAFLD. Although the authors adjusted for many factors that relate to beverage preference in the US, other lifestyle habits of wine drinkers could explain these results.

R. Curtis Ellison, MD

Reference:

Dunn W, Xu R, Schwimmer JB. Modest wine drinking and decreased prevalence of suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology. 2008;47(6):1947–1954.