Unexpected Association Found Between Certain Beverages and MS Risk

A study from Iran published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition found that drinking certain beverages, including milk, carbonated beverages, and juice, was linked to an increased association with a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. Drinking other beverages, including green tea, black tea, and coffee, appeared to be associated with a reduced risk of a MS diagnosis.

This case-control cross-sectional study included 146 patients diagnosed with MS in the case group along with a control group of 277 people without MS. The mean age of participants was 38.55 years for the case cohort and 37.24 years in the control group. Participants enrolled in the study answered a questionnaire which included questions related to demographic information along with details about beverage consumption.

Results from a statistical analysis of the survey results showed that drinking milk (OR=5.46), natural juice (OR=2.49), and carbonated beverages (OR=16.17) were associated with an increased risk of a MS diagnosis. Drinking non-alcoholic beer (OR=0.48), black tea (OR=0.20), green tea (OR=0.29), and coffee (OR=0.07) all were linked to a reduced association with a MS diagnosis. In the discussion section of the article, researchers made note of the limitations of the study, including self-reported data and potential recall bias. Researchers speculate that the association seen with black tea, green tea, coffee and a reduced risk of diagnosis with MS may be related to unknown factors, such as caffeine or polyphenols present in these beverages.