Ultra-Processed Food Intake Is Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Henney AE, Gillespie CS, Alam U, Hydes TJ, Cuthbertson DJ
Nutrients · 54 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Clinical events such as disease or death
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2023-05-10 · Nutrients · vol. 15 · issue 10 · p. 2266
- Publisher
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
- Cited
- 73 citations · more than 97% of similar papers · 4.6× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 77 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Nutritional Studies and Diet · Diet, Metabolism, and Disease · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Keywords
- Medicine, Fatty liver, Meta-analysis, Internal medicine, Overweight, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, Disease, Diabetes mellitus, Endocrinology
- MeSH
- humans, diabetes mellitus, type 2, obesity, cross-sectional studies, adult, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, food, processed
5 authors
From GB
- Alex E. HenneyUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Conor Scott GillespieUniversity of Cambridge
- Uazman AlamUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Theresa HydesUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Daniel James Cuthbertson · correspondingUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D) due to chronic caloric excess and physical inactivity. Previous meta-analyses have confirmed associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and obesity and T2D. We aim to ascertain the contribution of UPF consumption to the risk of developing NAFLD. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO (CRD42022368763)). All records registered on Ovid Medline and Web of Science were searched from inception until December 2022. Studies that assessed UPF consumption in adults, determined according to the NOVA food classification system, and that reported NAFLD determined by surrogate (steatosis) scores, imaging or liver biopsy were included. The association between UPF consumption and NAFLD was assessed using random-effects meta-analysis methods. Study quality was assessed, and evidence credibility evaluated, using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and NutriGrade systems, respectively. A total of 5454 records were screened, and 112 records underwent full text review. From these, 9 studies (3 cross-sectional, 3 case-control and 3 cohort), analysing 60,961 individuals, were included in the current review. Both moderate (vs. low) (pooled relative risk 1.03 (1.00-1.07) (p = 0.04) (I2 = 0%)) and high (vs. low) (1.42 (1.16-1.75) (2 = 89%)) intake of UPF significantly increased the risk of NAFLD. Funnel plots demonstrate low risk of publication bias. Consumption of UPF is associated with NAFLD with a dose-response effect. Public health measures to reduce overconsumption of UPF are imperative to reduce the burden of NAFLD, and the related conditions, obesity and T2D.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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