Coffee and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 observational studies

Abstract

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder. According to some epidemiological studies and different meta-analysis, it is not clear that whether the relevance of the occurrence and progression of NAFLD and coffee consumption is very close. So we conducted the present article to make it clear. METHODS The PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were searched up to December 1, 2022. We performed the meta-analysis of not regular coffee vs. regular coffee drinking and coffee drinking vs. the progression of NAFLD, and conducted subgroup analysis of participants, kinds of coffee, methods of diagnosis to verify that relationship. The pooled odds ratio (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) IV. Random and 95% CIs were calculated by random-effects model. RESULTS Eleven articles were included, including 7093 cases and 20625 non-cases. Whether regular coffee drinking or not was not significantly associated with NAFLD occurrence, and OR were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.43–1.62). Moreover, the pooled SMD IV. Random. from the comparison of coffee drinking vs. the progression of NAFLD was − 0.12(95%CI :-0.31-0.07), showing not statistical significance. What’s more, subgroup analysis of people being obese or not, methods of diagnosis of NAFLD, types of coffee, suggested non beneficial efficacy of coffee drinking on NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS The existing evidence showed coffee drinking did not significantly decrease the occurrence and progression of NAFLD. In addition, different kinds of coffee failed to show any beneficial efficacy on NAFLD. Thus, coffee is not recommended for people to decrease the occurrence and slow the progression of NAFLD. As we were unable to assess the components of coffee on NAFLD, the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution. Further study is needed to assess the influence of main ingredient of coffee, caffeine, on NAFLD.