Summary: Beer-only drinking have the lowest diet quality, highest energy consumption, and lowest physical action rates compared to those who drink wine, wine, or a combination. On the Healthy Eating Index, researchers analyzed more than 1,900 U.S. people and found that beer drinkers had the lowest scores while beverage drinkers had the highest.
Social and cultural aspects likely push these differences, as beverage is usually consumed with low-fiber, high-carb foods. According to the type of alcohol their clients consume, doctors are encouraged to adjust discussions on good habits. Understanding these designs can inform decisions that promote general health and prevent heart disease.
Important Information:
- Beer-only drinkers scored the lowest ( 49 ) on the 100-point Healthy Eating Index.
- Wine drinkers had a higher score ( 55 % ) and were associated with healthier eating habits.
- Beer consumption frequently has a resemblance to lower physical exercise and higher smoking rates.
Origin: AASLD
Beer drinking have lower-quality food, are less effective, and are more likely to smoke smoking than people who drink liquor, wine, or a mixture, according to a research scheduled for display at The Liver Meeting, held by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
” Alcohol overuse is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the U. S., and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease ( MASLD ) is rapidly increasing”, said Madeline Novack, chief resident at Tulane School of Medicine’s internal medicine residency program and lead author of the study.
” We frequently have a coexisting liver disease, and lifestyle modifications are essential to managing and preventing these conditions, starting with a clear connection between alcohol use and poor nutrition.”
Researchers compared the diet quality of people who only consume beer and wine ( 38.9 % ), wine only ( 21.8 % ), alcohol only ( 18.2 % ), or a combination of both alcohol types ( 21 % ) ) in a nationally representative sample of more than 1, 900 U.S. adults who reported current alcohol consumption. They measured self-reported eating habits against the Healthy Eating Index, a validated standardized tool based on dietary guidelines.
According to Novack, none of the alcohol-using groups even managed to achieve the 80-point score required for a healthy diet on the 100-point Healthy Eating Index, but beer drinkers had the lowest score of 49. Drinkers of alcohol scored 55, and combination drinkers and those who drink only alcohol scored nearly 53.
Beer-only drinkers, who were more likely to be male, younger, smokers, and low income, also reported the highest total daily caloric intake, adjusting for body weight, and the lowest level of physical activity.
Previous studies have found that dietary quality declines as a result of increasing alcohol consumption of any kind, but little has been done to examine the impact of a particular alcoholic beverage type.  ,
According to Novack, the relationship between food and alcohol consumption may be to blame for the differences in drinkers ‘ diet quality. In countries with low fiber, high carbohydrates, and processed meats as the available foods, beer is frequently chosen in these settings.
On the other hand, red wine is frequently served with meals that include dairy, meat, and vegetables.
Another possibility is the inverse, where dietary choices influence the choice of alcohol consumed, Novack said. For example, fried or salty foods create thirst that may also lead to beer-only consumption.  ,  ,  ,
According to Novack, doctors should inquire about the type of alcohol consumed in order to guide discussion of healthy behaviors in preventing liver disease and other health issues.
For instance, this study’s findings can be applied to patients who identify as beer-only drinkers. Additionally, doctors may advise increasing fruit and vegetable intake as well as physical activity.
About this research on the diet and alcohol use disorder
Author: Caroline Laurin
Source: AASLD
Contact: Caroline Laurin – AASLD
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The findings will be presented at The Liver Meeting
