Metabolic health may be favourably impacted by moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages

The results of a recent study indicated that a moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages can positively affect the metabolic syndrome.

The associations between self-reported alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic health was examined by US scientists in a sample of 7432 adults (≥ 20 years) who were participants in the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In this study population, moderate alcohol consumption (MAC, defined as less than 2 drinks/d for men and less than 1 drink/d for women) was negatively associated with waist circumference among those in the 30-39, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups, as was above moderate alcohol consumption (AMAC, defined as more than 2 drinks/d in men and more than 1drink/d in women) in the 20-29, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups.

AMAC was also negatively associated with serum triglycerides among those in the 70-79 and 80+ age groups and positively associated with HDL-C levels in all groups. MAC was positively associated with HDL-C in the age groups spanning 20-69 years and those over 80. AMAC and MAC were negatively associated with fasting glucose levels in the 20-29 and 70-79 age groups. MAC also was negatively associated with fasting glucose levels among those 70-79 and those over 80 years of age. The scientists concluded the moderate as well as above moderate intake of alcoholic beverages might favourably impact the metabolic syndrome, however, their findings should be interpreted with caution and individuals should not be advised to consume alcohol to improve their CVD risk profile.

Churilla JR, Johnson TM, Curls R, et al. Association between alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2014;8:119-23.

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here.