Effect of alcohol consumption on food energy intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol consumption and body weight is complex and inconclusive being potentially mediated by alcohol type, habitual consumption levels and sex differences. Heavy and regular alcohol consumption has been positively correlated with increasing body weight, although it is unclear whether this is due to alcohol consumption per se or to additional energy intake from food. This review explores the effects of alcohol consumption on food energy intake in healthy adults. CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, Medline and PsycINFO were searched through February 2018 for crossover and randomised controlled trials where an alcohol dose was compared with a non-alcohol condition. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. A total of twenty-two studies involving 701 participants were included from the 18 427 papers retrieved. Studies consistently demonstrated no compensation for alcoholic beverage energy intake, with dietary energy intake not decreasing due to alcoholic beverage ingestion. Meta-analyses using the random-effects model were conducted on twelve studies and demonstrated that alcoholic beverage consumption significantly increased food energy intake and total energy intake compared with a non-alcoholic comparator by weighted mean differences of 343 (95 % CI 161, 525) and 1072 (95 % CI 820, 1323) kJ, respectively. Generalisability is limited to younger adults (18–37 years), and meta-analyses for some outcomes had substantial statistical heterogeneity or evidence of small-study effects. This review suggests that adults do not compensate appropriately for alcohol energy by eating less, and a relatively modest alcohol dose may lead to an increase in food consumption.

Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors in relation to Overweight Defined by BMI and “Normal-Weight Obesity”

“…In general, alcohol intake is added to the diet, without a corresponding decrease of energy from food intake, and thereby, the total daily energy intake is increased considerably. us, a high alcohol consumption per occasion induces an increase in body weight [10,12], which was also found in the present study. Furthermore, alcohol stimulates the appetite, causing a higher food intake, along with the alcohol consumption [10].…”

“…us, a high alcohol consumption per occasion induces an increase in body weight [10,12], which was also found in the present study. Furthermore, alcohol stimulates the appetite, causing a higher food intake, along with the alcohol consumption [10]. High energy intake from alcohol was positively associated with intermuscular adipose tissue in older subjects, especially in women [14].…”

“…e lower BMI found in participants with higher education, and the higher BMI and overweight found in participants on sick leave/disability, is in line with previous research, which has shown that obesity is associated with sociodemographic factors, especially in women [10,23,24]. Overall, a higher neighborhood level and higher socioeconomic status were observed to be associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio [25].…”

“…ere is a lot of debate and controversy about the most efficient lifestyle habits for maintaining a low body weight throughout life. Although all fat deposits are associated with age [4], most studies are performed on younger individuals [10]. Education, income level, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to the percentage of energy intake from different macronutrients [10][11][12].…”

“…Although all fat deposits are associated with age [4], most studies are performed on younger individuals [10]. Education, income level, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to the percentage of energy intake from different macronutrients [10][11][12]. In addition to the influence on dietary habits, smoking also affects the secretion and regulation of hormone levels [13].…”