Åberg F, Puukka P, Salomaa V, et al. - In this investigation involving 8,345 individuals with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver index > 60) who partook in health-examination surveys (FINRISK 1992-2012 or Health 2000), with available data on baseline alcohol intake, researchers studied the influence of alcohol use in fatty liver disease on incident liver, cardiovascular, and malignant disease, as well as death. Consumption of alcohol exhibited a dose-dependent risk increase for incident advanced liver disease and malignancies. In general, alcohol consumption of 10-19 g/day or 0-9 g/day as nonwine beverages doubled the risk for advanced liver disease relative with lifetime abstainers. In contrast, consumption of alcohol up to 49 g/day was linked to a 22%-40% decline of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). Intake of alcohol > 30 g/day resulted in increased mortality risk estimates relative to lifetime abstainers. Alcohol intake remained stable over time in > 80% of individuals in a subpopulation with longitudinal data. Findings suggested that even low alcohol intake in fatty liver disease is linked to increased risks for advanced liver disease and cancer. Low to moderate use of alcohol is related to lower mortality and risk of CVD, but only among non-smokers.