Association between consumption of edible seaweeds and newly diagnosed non-alcohol fatty liver disease: The TCLSIH Cohort Study

Background & aims: Seaweeds are rich sources of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, whether seaweed consumption is associated with NAFLD is unknown. We investigated the association of seaweed consumption with newly diagnosed NAFLD in a large-scale adult population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 24 572 participants aged over 18 years. NAFLD was diagnosed by results of liver ultrasonography and alcohol intake. Dietary information was assessed using a validated and standardized 100-item food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to evaluate the association between seaweed consumption and NAFLD.

Results: The prevalence of newly diagnosed NAFLD was 20.1%. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and other dietary intakes, the multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of newly diagnosed NAFLD across seaweed consumption were 1.00 (reference) for almost never, 1.03 (0.93, 1.15) for <1 time/wk, 1.01 (0.90, 1.13) for 1 time/wk, and 0.84 (0.73, 0.96) for >1 times/wk (P for trend < .001). Stratified analyses suggested a potential effect modification by obesity status; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) across extreme quartiles was 0.77 (0.66, 0.91) in non-obese participants and 1.02 (0.79, 1.33) in obese participants (P for interaction < .001).

Conclusion: Seaweed consumption is negatively associated with NAFLD, especially in non-obese participants.