NUTRITIONAL EFFECTS OF REGULAR ALCOHOL-USE

Alcohol is a source of energy with toxic effects whose role as a nutrient is debated. Data from vast epidemiologic studies suggest that a regular intake of moderate amounts of alcohol may have beneficial health effects. Several studies have investigated the effects of alcohol use on weight and atherogenesis. Addition of alcohol to the usual diet has minimal effects on weight, whereas isocaloric substitution leads to weight loss. Use of even small amounts of alcohol increases energy expenditure via unclear mechanisms and reduces lipid oxidation. These effects probably explain why moderate drinking has little effects on weight. Regular alcohol users have higher HDL-cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular mortality rates than nonusers. However, alcohol use has no effect on the HDL2 subfraction and on LpA1 articles, which are the only lipid components with established protective effects. The nutritional effects of regular drinking are still poorly understood. Additional studies are needed to determine whether use of alcohol should be recommended.