Gut Liver.  2019 May;13(3):308-314. 10.5009/gnl18175.

Effects of Moderate Alcohol Drinking in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

• Kwon I
• Jun DW
• Moon JH

• KMID: 2448370
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl18175

Abstract

Whether moderate alcohol intake is beneficial remains an unsolved issue. Recent studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with beneficial effects related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Moderate alcohol consumption leads to a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic viral liver diseases. However, the effects of moderate alcohol intake in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are unclear. In this review, we analyzed, from various perspectives, the effect of moderate alcohol consumption in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We reviewed four cohort studies and seven cross-sectional studies. The results showed that moderate alcohol consumption was negatively related to the incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. However, moderate alcohol consumption was positively associated with the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The results of the analysis of the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and hypertension were diverse. More clinical data are needed to draw a conclusion about the effects of moderate alcohol consumption in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Keyword

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Alcohol; Moderate drinking

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking*
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Hypertension
Incidence
Lipoproteins
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Diseases
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease*
Triglycerides
Cholesterol
Lipoproteins
Triglycerides