Does Alcohol Intake Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease?

Moderate alcohol intake might lower cardiovascular risk, according to some epidemiologic studies. But what is the relation between alcohol consumption and chronic kidney disease (CKD)? In this prospective population-based cohort study from the Netherlands, researchers identified 5476 adults (age range, 28–75) with no evidence of CKD and followed them for an average of 10 years. Alcohol intake was assessed at baseline and periodically thereafter.

During follow-up, 16% of participants developed CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/minute/1.73 m² or 24-hour albumin excretion >30 mg. In analyses adjusted for potentially confounding variables, alcohol intake was associated inversely with risk for CKD: Compared with nondrink…