Evidence shows that those that drink alcohol regularly have lower body weights that avoid alcohol. Indeed, smokers also have lower body weights than non-smokers and some have suggested that this might partly result from the fact that smokers are more likely to be drinkers. Some have dismissed the association between body weight and drinking as being an artifact of the poor nutritional status of alcoholics. And this point has some validity, because alcoholics do have severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, studies that have investigated the association with body weight in moderate drinkers have also found that those healthy non-alcoholic individuals that consume the most alcohol have the lowest body weights. If we exclude the possibility that having a low body weight does not induce one to drinking alcohol, logically then it is the drinking of alcohol that is the causative factor in the relationship. Therefore alcohol may exert some of its health benefits by causing a reduction in body weight.
In this regard, a number of biochemical mechanisms could explain the ability of alcohol to lower body weight. In particular, researchers have investigated the ability of alcohol to affect the microsomal ethanol oxidising system (MEOS), a system of enzymes located in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. The MEOS system contains the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2E1 and functions to metabolise alcohol. Activation of wasteful energy metabolising pathways such as MEOS by ethanol may explain the weight loss effects of ethanol consumption. Metabolising ethanol through the MEOS system may also result in less substrate accumulation compared with other oxidation pathways. However, another possible effect of ethanol consumption is the evidence that shows that those who consume more alcohol tend to consume less carbohydrate containing foods. It has for example been hypothesised that alcohol may in some way satisfy the desire to eat carbohydrate foods, thus reducing their intake.
For example in one study1, researchers assessed the nutritional intake of a number of alcoholics before entering a hospital for treatment for their alcoholism. The nutritional intake of the patients was monitored during their hospital stay, and it was noted that when they ceased drinking their macronutrient intake increased, and this was particularly evident for carbohydrate. Other studies have investigated the macronutrient intakes of drinkers and found that they have lower intake of carbohydrates (here). Therefore one mechanism by which alcohol may cause weight loss is through changes to the macronutrient ratios in the diet. Sugar is a known obesogenic food and high intakes are associated with weight gain and the metabolic dysfunction. Reductions in the intake of sugar may therefore explain the weight loss effects of alcohol. Some alcoholic drinks such as beer do contain carbohydrates and subconscious substitution of one macronutrient for another may produce metabolic effects that induce weight loss.
Dr Robert Barrington’s Nutritional Recommendation: Many studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption may confer health benefits. In particular, wine appears to be particularly beneficial. Although excessive alcohol consumption and alcoholism is known to cause detrimental health effects, moderate intakes do show health benefits. The evidence to support weight loss effects of moderate drinking may explain some of the health benefits associated with alcohol consumption. Populations that show longevity in the Mediterranean areas are known to consume red wine daily, and red wine drinking may also explain the low incidence of heart disease in Southern France. Those who wish to consume wine within moderation are therefore encouraged to continue this practice.
RdB
