Association between coffee and caffeine consumption and chronic kidney disease

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health concern, often linked to cardiovascular issues.
• The association between coffee, tea, and caffeine intake and CKD risk is not well-established.
• Existing research indicates potential health benefits of these beverages, but their specific impact on kidney function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• To analyze dietary intake data and CKD status in a large, diverse population sample.
• To identify potential dietary factors that may influence kidney health and CKD risk.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018.
• Inclusion of 49,827 participants with dietary intake assessed via two 24-hour recalls.
• CKD status determined using the CKD-EPI equation, with statistical adjustments for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher coffee consumption (> 352.5 g/day) was significantly associated with lower odds of CKD (OR 0.760, 95% CI 0.701-0.823).
• Tea consumption was also linked to reduced odds of CKD (OR 0.913, 95% CI 0.843-0.89).
• The highest tertile of total caffeine intake demonstrated a significant reduction in CKD odds (OR 0.734, 95% CI 0.674-0.799).

Conclusions:

• Coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption appear to be associated with better renal function.
• These findings suggest that regular intake of these beverages may play a role in the prevention of chronic kidney disease.
• Dietary modifications, including increased consumption of coffee and tea, could be considered as a potential strategy for CKD prevention.