Association between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome in 19,215 middle-aged and elderly Chinese

AIMS: To assess the association of alcohol consumption with metabolic syndrome (Mets) in a Chinese population.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed in 19,215 participants aged 40 years or over in Shanghai of China during June 2008-April 2009. Information about the alcohol consumption including quantity and type of alcoholic beverage was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Physical examination was performed and fasting blood samples were obtained for the measurements of biochemical indicators.

RESULTS: In male wine-only consumers, after adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education levels, exercise and smoking habit, severe alcohol consumption (>/= 50.0 g/d), compared with non-alcohol consumption, conferred 53% increased risk of having MetS. In women, alcohol consumption did not have relation to the prevalence of Mets. In the beer-only, liquor-only and mixed type consumers, no significant associations between MetS or its components and the quantity of alcohol consumption were detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that excessive wine consumption (alcohol >/= 50.0 g/d) is associated with higher prevalence of MetS in Chinese men.