Alcohol consumption appears to protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption may have certain beneficial effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is associated with metabolic syndrome. Aim To determine the association between drinking pattern and fatty liver in Japanese men and women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with health checkup data including information concerning alcohol consumption and ultrasonographic assessment of fatty liver.

Results: We analysed 4957 men and 2155 women without reported liver diseases (median age, 49 years). In men, 40% of nondrinkers and 28% of drinkers had fatty liver. Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with fatty liver (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.63). The prevalence of fatty liver in each category of drinking frequency was 38% (1-3 days/week), 29% (4-6 days/week), and 24% (daily drinking); there was a significant inverse correlation between drinking frequency and the prevalence of fatty liver (P < 0.001). In women, 16% of nondrinkers and 10% of drinkers had fatty liver. Drinking less than 20 g on 1-3 days/week was associated with low prevalence of fatty liver (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.96).

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption appears to protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.