Fatty liver is becoming the most frequent cause of liver disease in the world. In relation to the moderate intake of alcohol and its consequences in the evolution of fatty liver, there are controversial data. In some studies it has been shown that moderate alcohol intake may be beneficial for patients with fatty liver disease and in others, the opposite has been shown. In January 2019, a study was published in the journal Hepatology including 58,927 participants diagnosed with fatty liver and who were followed during a mean of 5 years . These patients were divided into three groups:
- No drinkers
- Drinkers of low daily amount: (women and men) less than a glass of wine or beer a day.
- Moderate drinkers: women (up to two glasses of wine or beer per day) and men (up to three glasses of wine or beer per day).
It was found that the likelihood of progression of liver disease was significantly greater in the two groups of drinkers compared to those who did not. In addition, the two groups of drinkers had an increased risk of worsening liver fibrosis.
Food and alcohol intake
In summary, this work is important and definitely patients with fatty liver disease should not drink any alcohol, although some previous publications indicated otherwise. However, it would have been very useful if the authors of this study had indicated whether this alcohol intake occurred or not with the meals. It is known that the amount of alcohol that is absorbed when taken during meals is significantly lower and we do not know what the result would have been if this factor had been taken into account.
The Hepatitis Viral Study Foundation Clinic is a pioneer center in offering the revolutionary PNPLA3 genetic test, that determines the risk of progression of fatty liver disease, being a result of its research work. Contact us!
