Association between consumption frequency of honey and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from a cross-sectional analysis based on the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) Cohort Study

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence has suggested the protective effects of honey consumption against metabolic syndrome, but the association between honey intake and NAFLD is still unclear. We investigated how the consumption frequency of honey was associated with NAFLD in the general population. This was a cross-sectional study of 21,979 adults aged 20-90 years. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the ultrasound-diagnosed fatty liver without significant alcohol intake and other liver diseases. Diet information, including consumption frequency of honey, was assessed by a validated 100 item food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the binary logistic regression model, adjusting for confounding factors identified by the directed acyclic graph. Overall, 6,513 adults (29.6%) had NAFLD. Compared with participants consuming ≤1 time/week of honey, the multivariable ORs (95% CIs) of NAFLD were 0.86 (0.77, 0.97) for 2-6 times/week and 1.10 (0.95, 1.27) for ≥1 times/day (P for trend = 0.90). The results were generally similar in subgroups of body mass index at a cut-point of 24.0 kg/m2 (P for interaction = 0.10). In this large-scale study, consuming honey 2-6 times/week was inversely associated with NAFLD, whereas consuming honey ≥1 times/day had no association with NAFLD. These results need replication in other large-scale prospective studies.

Relationship Between Dietary Patterns and Carotid Atherosclerosis Among People Aged 50 Years or Older: A Population-Based Study in China

“…In addition, some infrequently consumed foods might have been overlooked due to the limited food items on the FFQ. Although these may influence the accuracy of food intake, it indicated that dietary data were relatively stable over time according to our published studies ( 22 , 50 ). Third, there may be some residual confounding factors we could not fully capture; variables that are intrinsically related to the dietary patterns may influence the relationship between dietary patterns and CA.…”

The effect of honey on lipid profiles: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

“…In addition, the whole diet or dietary components have to be considered while assessing the effects of honey on serum lipid profiles in various populations. 1 Mean ± SD or range, 2 Randomized clinical trial, 3 Clinical trial, 4 Honey, 5 Total cholesterol, 6 Triglycerides, 7 Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, 8 Highdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol, 9 Very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, 10 Patients -Not mentioned € Down-graded two levels as the serious risk of bias.…”

Pre-diagnosis Dairy Product Intake and Ovarian Cancer Mortality: Results From the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study (OOPS)

“…Dietary intake was assessed at recruitment via a 111-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was an extended version of a previously validated FFQ (with an addition of 11 food items) used in the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health cohort study (17,18). Participants were required to recall their accustomed intake of these food items during the year prior to OC diagnosis.…”