Diet in alcohol withdrawal - coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis and steatosis

Introduction Excessive alcohol consumption remains a global health issue, leading to the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which comprises a spectrum of liver injuries including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and, ultimately, cirrhosis. Ethanol toxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as the microbiota influence the development of ALD. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there is a measurable relation between different types of diets and the development of alcohol-induced injuries on the liver.

Methods In this cohort-study we included 32 patients hospitalized to participate in an alcohol withdrawal program. To assess patients´ alcohol intake and diet the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Test) and a modified version of the “Food Frequency Questionnaire“ by Garcia Larsen, V., et al. was used. In a next step dietary patterns were correlated with clinical parameters.

Results In our study we included 32 patients (16 female/16 male) with a mean age of 42,73 (±7,85). While most dietary patterns (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, sugar, dairy products) showed little to no effect on the development of alcohol-induced organ damage, coffee consumption indirectly correlated with liver fibrosis measured by non-invasive Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI, r=-0.461, p = 0.012). Most study participants consumed coffee daily, whereas 12,5 % reported no coffee intake. Patients with high coffee consumption (≥5 cups per day) showed significantly less hepatic steatosis and fibrosis compared to patients with no/moderate (≤1 cups per day) coffee consumption. Furthermore, coffee intake indirectly correlated with the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS, r=-0.640, p = 0.000). Regarding the influence of diet on withdrawal success, we found no significant association.

Conclusion Coffee consumption in patients with alcohol use disorders appears to beneficially influence the development of alcoholic liver disease.

Publication History

Article published online:
01 September 2021