Dose–response associations between diet and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

A comprehensive meta-analysis evaluated 32 dietary factors and their associations with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty studies were included, involving 2,986,747 participants with 9,677 RA cases.
Linear dose–response analysis suggested that each 2-unit per week increase in total alcohol intake was linked to 4% risk reduction (RR (95%-CI) 0.96 (0.94, 0.98)), and beer consumption was associated with a 10% reduction per 2 units/week increase (0.90 (0.84, 0.97)). Each 2-unit/week increase in total alcohol intake was associated with a 3% decrease in seropositive RA risk (0.97 (0.96, 0.99). Increased intakes of fruit (per 80 g/day) and cereals (per 30 g/day) were associated with 5% (0.95 (0.92, 0.99)) and 3% (0.97 (0.96, 0.99)) reduced risk, respectively. Conversely, tea consumption showed a 4% increased risk per additional cup/day (1.04 (1.02, 1.05)). Non-linear associations were observed for total coffee, vegetables, oily fish, and vitamin D supplementation. Data on dietary patterns and specific micronutrients were limited.
The findings suggest that moderate alcohol consumption and a higher intake of fruits, oily fish, and cereals are associated with a reduced risk of RA, while tea and coffee may be linked to an increased risk. Optimising dietary intake of certain food components may reduce RA risk, despite moderate-quality evidence, the study authors say.
Source: Dong Y, Greenwood DC, Webster J, Uzokwe C, Tao J, Hardie LJ, Cade JE. Dose–Response Associations Between Diet and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Nutrients. 2024; 16(23):4050.