What are the latest findings on the effects of alcohol consumption on health and fitness?
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Latest Findings on the Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Health and Fitness
Negative Impact of Alcohol on Physical Health
Alcohol and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Alcohol consumption is a significant modifiable risk factor contributing to the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Frequent and occasional alcohol consumption negatively impacts physical health, leading to elevated BMI and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. These effects are consistent across genders1.
Alcohol and Body Weight
The relationship between alcohol consumption and body weight is complex. While some studies suggest that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with weight gain, the evidence is not conclusive. Light-to-moderate alcohol intake, particularly wine, may protect against weight gain, whereas spirits are more likely to contribute to weight gain7. Additionally, alcohol consumption increases food energy intake, as individuals do not compensate for the calories from alcohol by eating less9.
Alcohol and Physical Fitness
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness compared to abstainers and heavy drinkers. However, heavy episodic drinking does not show a significant association with peak oxygen uptake3. Interestingly, higher fitness levels are linked to greater alcohol consumption, suggesting that physically fit individuals may consume more alcohol5.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Alcohol
A study on the effects of moderate beer or alcohol consumption during a 10-week HIIT program found that alcohol intake did not mitigate the positive effects of HIIT on physical fitness. Participants showed significant improvements in VO2 max and hand grip strength regardless of their alcohol consumption2.
Alcohol and Exercise Performance
Interaction Between Alcohol and Exercise
Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to detrimental effects on exercise performance, including decreased glucose and amino acid utilization by skeletal muscles, impaired energy supply, and adverse metabolic processes during exercise. Chronic alcohol use is associated with increased citrate synthase activity and decreased muscle fiber cross-sectional area4. However, exercise may attenuate some of the negative effects of alcohol, such as oxidative damage and ethanol metabolism by the liver4.
Exercise as an Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Exercise has been shown to significantly improve physical fitness and quality of life in individuals with AUD. However, it does not significantly change levels of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, or alcohol consumption. Aerobic exercise, in particular, is more effective in alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms compared to other forms of exercise10.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health
Moderate alcohol consumption, particularly beer, has been associated with a decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. This protective effect is observed with a consumption level of up to 16 grams of alcohol per day for women and 28 grams per day for men6. However, during weight loss, moderate alcohol consumption may attenuate the beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes, such as mean arterial pressure and circulating lipids8.
Conclusion
The latest research highlights the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and health and fitness. While moderate alcohol consumption may offer some cardiovascular benefits, it generally has a negative impact on physical health, body weight, and exercise performance. Exercise can mitigate some of the adverse effects of alcohol and serve as an effective intervention for individuals with AUD. However, the overall recommendation is to limit alcohol intake to reduce the risk of chronic conditions and optimize health and fitness outcomes.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Associated With Physical Health Status in Adults: Secondary Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey Data
Frequent and occasional alcohol consumption negatively affect physical health, with equal negative effects on men and women.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalInfluence of daily beer or ethanol consumption on physical fitness in response to a high-intensity interval training program. The BEER-HIIT study
A 10-week HIIT program improves cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and power in young healthy adults without affecting the positive effects of moderate beer or alcohol intake.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalAlcohol consumption and cardiorespiratory fitness in five population-based studies
Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness than current abstainers and individuals with higher average alcohol consumption.
Interaction Between Alcohol and Exercise
Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but chronic alcohol use has detrimental effects on the brain, cardiovascular system, and liver.
Fit and Tipsy? The Interrelationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Alcohol Consumption and Dependence
Higher fitness levels are significantly related to increased alcohol consumption among adults, suggesting interventions promoting physical activity should also aim to reduce alcohol consumption.
Observational StudyVery Rigorous JournalModerate Consumption of Beer and Its Effects on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: An Updated Review of Recent Scientific Evidence
Moderate beer consumption of up to 16 g alcohol/day (1 drink/day for women) and 28 g alcohol/day (1- 2 drinks/day for men) is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease and overall mortality, as well as other metabolic health benefits.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalAlcohol consumption and body weight: a systematic review.
Heavy alcohol consumption may lead to weight gain, while light-to-moderate alcohol intake, especially wine, may protect against weight gain.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedThe Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes Following Weight Loss in Premenopausal Women with Obesity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Moderate alcohol consumption may mitigate the beneficial effects of weight loss on cardiovascular health in premenopausal women with obesity.
RCTRigorous JournalEffect of alcohol consumption on food energy intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Alcohol consumption does not reduce dietary energy intake, and a modest alcohol dose may lead to increased food consumption in healthy adults.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalIs Exercise a Useful Intervention in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Exercise can be an effective and persistent adjunctive treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorders, improving physical fitness and mental health without significantly affecting depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, or alcohol consumption.
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