Background:
Previous studies have shown that coffee consumption is protective against hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few have examined the relationship between coffee/caffeine and nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis (NAFLD).
Aim:
To assess the association between coffee, caffeine and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Methods:
We used data on 11,563 adults, aged 20‐74 years, from the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III), with hepatic ultrasound data, and dietary information. NAFLD was defined as steatosis on ultrasound, without excessive alcohol consumption. Coffee intake, in cups per month, was based on data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Caffeine data was derived from the 24‐hour dietary recall. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between coffee/caffeine and NAFLD, and to adjust for potential confounders.
Results:
NAFLD was found in 19.1% of the study population. Compared to those with no coffee consumption, those with coffee usage in the highest category of consumption (more than 3 cups/day) were 14% less likely to have NAFLD (odds ratio=0.86, 95% CI 0.60‐1.24). After simultaneous adjustment for other factors associated with NAFLD, the odds ratio for those in the highest consumption category was 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.48‐1.02) compared to never coffee drinkers. For caffeine consumption, the adjusted odd of NAFLD was 0.91 (95% confidence internal, 0.72‐1.16) in the highest caffeine quintiles (393 – 1,296 mg/day) compared to the lowest quintile.
Conclusions:
In this U.S. representative sample, elevated consumption of coffee was inversely associated with NAFLD‐steatosis, however the results were not statistically significant.