A comprehensive meta-analysis of nearly 3 million participants found moderate alcohol consumption and higher intake of fruits and cereals were associated with reduced rheumatoid arthritis risk, while tea consumption showed potential to increase risk.
The study, published in Nutrients analyzed data from 30 prospective cohort studies with follow-up periods ranging from 4 to 30 years.
Among 2,986,747 participants, researchers documented 9,677 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases, including 8,772 seropositive cases. The analysis examined 32 dietary factors, finding:
- Each 2-unit weekly increase in total alcohol intake corresponded to a 4% reduction in RA risk, with benefits diminishing beyond 60 g/week in a J-shaped relationship
- Beer consumption showed a 10% risk reduction per 2 units weekly
- Each 80 g daily increase in fruit intake linked to a 5% reduced RA risk
- Every 30 g increase in daily cereal consumption corresponded to a 3% lower risk
- Each additional daily cup of tea was associated with a 4% increased RA risk, particularly in individuals followed for more than 10 years
The analysis revealed non-linear associations between RA risk and consumption of total coffee, vegetables, oily fish, and vitamin D supplementation. No evidence emerged linking sugar-sweetened soda consumption to RA risk.
Evidence quality varied, with moderate-quality evidence for total alcohol, tea, fruits, and cereals; low-quality for wine and liquor; and very low-quality for beer consumption.
Study limitations included potential selection bias, dietary assessment errors, and unmeasured confounding factors.
The authors declared no competing interests.
