US researchers have determined that moderate and high alcohol consumption is linked to an increase in chronic inflammation, even in individuals following a healthy diet. The findings were published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism (AA).
The study was spearheaded by a team of specialists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The research involved 91 adults aged 21–44 with a body mass index exceeding 25, indicating they were overweight or obese. The observation period spanned 21 days.
Participants were divided into groups: non-drinkers, light drinkers (up to three servings per week), and those with moderate and high alcohol intake. Simultaneously, scientists assessed dietary quality using the Healthy Eating Index, which reflects the proportion of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in the diet. At the conclusion of the experiment, researchers measured inflammatory markers in the participants’ blood, including C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins 6 and 1β.
It was discovered that women who consumed moderate and large amounts of alcohol had higher levels of C-reactive protein compared to those who drank lightly. No such correlation was found in men. However, in both sexes, the group with high alcohol consumption exhibited elevated levels of TNF-α, a key marker of inflammation.
The authors attribute the differences between men and women to metabolic variations: women generally possess fewer enzymes that break down alcohol, leading to higher blood alcohol concentrations after consuming equivalent doses.
While a healthy diet did somewhat mitigate inflammation, its effect did not fully counteract the increase in inflammation associated with moderate and high alcohol intake.
The authors acknowledge limitations in their study, namely that it only included individuals who were overweight or obese. Additionally, the data on diet and alcohol consumption relied solely on self-reporting by participants.
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