Researchers find decreased renal function with 3‐gos of sake a day — Preventive effect with 1‐go a day

There is a proverb in Japan that goes "Sake is the best medicine," however, excessive consumption of sake is not beneficial. This saying has been long been used, but the extent of its accuracy is unclear. The research group of Professor Ryohei Yamamoto at the Campus Life Health Support and Counseling Center, Osaka University conducted a comprehensive literature search of epidemiological reports that evaluated alcohol intake and the risk of kidney disease. Analysis of the data of 14,634,940 persons revealed that the proteinuria risk decreases with a daily alcohol intake of about 20 grams but increases when the alcohol intake amount exceeds 60 grams. These results were published in the academic journal Nutrients.

The research group attempted a comprehensive literature search (systematic review) of epidemiological analysis to evaluate the effect of alcohol intake on the risk of kidney disease, and integrated the results extracted from 11 studies by performing a meta‐analysis.

The proteinuria risk of those who consumed up to 12 grams of alcohol was 0.87‐fold that of non‐drinkers. This risk increased to 1.09 times that of non‐drinkers when 36‐60 grams of alcohol was consumed. The risk was further enhanced to 1.15 times that of non‐drinkers when alcohol consumption exceeded 60 grams.

Risk of affecting renal function decreased by 0.82‐fold with alcohol intake of 12‐36 grams and leveled off with higher intakes. Only a few epidemiological studies have previously evaluated the risk of renal functional deterioration with daily alcohol intake of over 60 grams, and further evidence accumulation on this matter is required in future.

By integrating the published results of epidemiological studies, the present study clarified that heavy drinking is a risk factor for proteinuria, and that moderate alcohol intake of 20 grams per day, approximately 1‐go of sake a day, carries a low risk of kidney disease. Similar to proper sleep and smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption is expected to prevent kidney disease, a critical cause of cardiovascular events and death.

Yamamoto stated, "It was difficult to assess the health effects of heavy drinking with large‐scale research because only a small number of heavy drinkers (daily consumption of 60 grams of ethanol) were included. This study made it possible to evaluate the effects of heavy drinking on kidney disease by integrating the latest extensive studies. Of the 11 studies included in the present analyses, six were conducted on Japanese subjects. The achievement greatly reflects the relationship between alcohol consumption and kidney disease in the Japanese population."

■ 1‐go of sake is approximately 180ml