Fatty liver has become a very common disease in recent years, affecting 30% of the world’s population. Fatty liver (non-alcoholic) is considered to be a disease that is not caused by alcohol consumption. However, it should be noted that excessive alcohol consumption introduces fat into the liver, causing its destruction and can even progress and cause liver cirrhosis. In recent years, there have been discrepancies regarding the amount of alcohol that a person diagnosed with fatty liver can consume.
Study result
A study was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Congress to determine the amount of alcohol that a person diagnosed with fatty liver disease can drink without worsening the condition. The study included 7,189 patients who were divided into groups based on their daily alcohol intake (10 grams of alcohol per day is equivalent to approximately one glass of wine, one glass of champagne, or one beer). One group consumed alcohol up to 20 grams, and another from 30 to 60 grams. Patients who did not drink alcohol were included in another group. Compared to abstainers, those patients who consumed alcohol daily, even in minimal amounts, exhibited more aggressive liver disease (increased fibrosis).
In summary, daily alcohol consumption, even in minimal amounts, worsens liver disease in patients diagnosed with fatty liver. Dr. Carreño, as well as the doctors at the Foundation, agree with the results of this study and recommend that their patients not drink alcohol daily. In any case, it would be advisable to conduct a similar study to determine whether consuming a minimal amount of alcohol once a week (a glass of wine, a beer, etc.) could be harmful to fatty liver.
