The effects of moderate alcohol consumption on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accepted as a counterpart to alcohol-related liver disease because it is defined as hepatic steatosis without excessive use of alcohol. However, the definition of moderate alcohol consumption, as well as whether moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial or detrimental, remains controversial. In this review, the findings of clinical studies to date with high-quality evidence regarding the effects of moderate alcohol consumption in NAFLD patients were compared and summarized.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of liver disease: a nationwide, population-based study

“…Is there a defined standard for the safe consumption of alcohol termed ‘moderate drinking’ ( 18 )? The public health policy generally aims to establish safe levels of alcohol consumption, often referred to as ‘moderate drinking,’ although specific criteria may vary among organizations ( 12 ).…”

“…The public health policy generally aims to establish safe levels of alcohol consumption, often referred to as ‘moderate drinking,’ although specific criteria may vary among organizations ( 12 ). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the United States defines clinically significant alcohol consumption as consuming more than 14 standard drinks per week for men and more than seven for women (where one standard drink equals 14 g of alcohol), whereas the European Association for the Study of the Liver and Korean Association for the Study of the Liver indicate that clinically significant alcohol consumption exceeds 210 g per week for men and 140 g per week for women ( 18 ). Research on the effects of moderate drinking on disease outcomes is a continually evolving area, and some previous studies have indicated a potential reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases ( 34 , 35 ).…”

“…Based on these data, ALD remains a major contributor to CLD, emphasizing the importance of defining a threshold for heavy drinking as a crucial diagnostic measure for ALD ( 17 ). Nevertheless, different organizations and academic associations have developed inconsistent definitions of “heavy drinking” that may lead to the development of ALD, and “moderate drinking,” which is considered non-harmful to health ( 18 ).…”

Multi-system diseases and death trajectory of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: findings from the UK Biobank

“…Based on our results, individuals with MAFLD who consumed alcohol experienced a protective effect with regard to both intrahepatic and extrahepatic outcomes and mortality. Clinical data have not conclusively confirmed the effects of alcohol consumption on MAFLD outcomes [ 29 – 31 ]. Based on the basic medical principle of “first, do no harm,” it is premature to recommend that MAFLD patients consume moderate alcohol.…”

The effect of moderate alcohol consumption on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…The interaction between NAFLD and alcohol consumption has been controversial over the last few years, in particular, the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on NAFLD is ill-defined. 7 The definition of moderate alcohol consumption was slightly different from study to study, usually suggested as drinking in excess of recommended limits for safe alcohol consumption. The safe levels of alcohol consumption suggested by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD) are 30 g/day in men and 20 g/day in women, whereas, the Asian Pacific for the Study of the Liver (APASL) proposed a more cautious threshold of < 20 g/day and 10 g/day in men and women, respectively.…”