Caffeine and alcohol intakes have no association with risk of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background The association between alcohol and caffeine intakes and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear; no prospective studies have examined this relationship. Objective We examined intakes of alcohol and caffeine in relation to risk of multiple sclerosis. Design Intakes of alcohol and caffeine were examined in relation to risk of MS in two large cohorts of women, the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS; 92,275 women followed from 1980 to 2004) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II; 95,051 women followed from 1991 to 2005). Their diet was assessed at baseline and every 4 years thereafter. During the follow-up, 282 cases of MS were confirmed with onset of symptoms after baseline. 24 cases were missing information on alcohol intake, leaving a total of 258 cases for the alcohol analyses. Results Neither total alcohol consumption, not consumption of beer, wine, or liquor was related to MS risk. The multivariable-adjusted pooled RRs comparing categories of alcohol intake to 0 grams/day were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.32–1.99) for 0.1–4.9 grams/day, 1.01 (0.32–1.99) for 5.0–14.9 grams/day, 1.21 (0.69–2.15) for 15.0–29.9 grams/day, and 0.80 (0.32–1.99) for 30+ grams/day; (p for trend 0.89). Caffeine intake was also not significantly associated with MS risk. The multivariable adjusted pooled RR comparing highest to lowest quintile of caffeine intake was 1.14; 95% CI: 0.79–1.66; p for trend 0.71. Consideration of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee separately also yielded null results. Conclusion These results do not support an association between alcohol and caffeine intakes and MS risk.

Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acids in Coffee and Effects on Selected Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…Chen and Chern (2011) reviewed the current evidence for the effects of methylxanthines and adenosine receptors in general, including the effects of caffeine (a xanthine) and concluded that caffeine indeed appears to have applicable neuroprotective properties especially with respect to the most common neurodegenerative disorders including MS 25 . This is supported by a study in Europe by D'hooghe et al (2011) who also concluded that coffee was inversely associated with the progression of relapsing (discrete attacks) MS but not in progressive MS 86 . Still, there is some conflicting evidence concerning caffeine intake and MS. A study by Massa et al (2013) did not support an association with caffeine intake and MS 87 , yet little research directly concerned chlorogenic acid and MS has been performed.…”

“…This is supported by a study in Europe by D'hooghe et al (2011) who also concluded that coffee was inversely associated with the progression of relapsing (discrete attacks) MS but not in progressive MS 86 . Still, there is some conflicting evidence concerning caffeine intake and MS. A study by Massa et al (2013) did not support an association with caffeine intake and MS 87 , yet little research directly concerned chlorogenic acid and MS has been performed. MCI=mild cognitive impairment; Ns= not significant; SBP=systolic blood pressure.…”

Environmental modifiable risk factors for multiple sclerosis: Report from the 2016 ECTRIMS focused workshop

“…71 However, in two large cohorts of women participating in the Nurse Health Study, the association between MS risk and alcohol or caffeine intake was not confirmed. 72 Therefore, due to limited research and inconsistent findings, caution is needed in interpreting these results and their significance warrants further investigation.…”

Is Alcohol Harmful for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis?

“…On the other hand, another study showed that the duration of alcohol consumption by patients with MS was correlated with disability and lesion load in magnetic resonance imaging examinations [13]. A very large epidemiological database showed that alcohol consumption was not a risk factor for the development of MS [14,19,20].…”

“…From reading titles and abstracts, 312 papers did not fulfil the specified criteria and, therefore, 30 papers were initially selected for full consideration. In the end, eleven research articles published between 2004 and 2016 were included in this review [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Papers discussing the role of lifestyle habits in relation to MS were typically very recent publications.…”