Short-term effects of alcohol consumption on appetite and energy intake

Physiol Behav. 1996 Oct;60(4):1063-70. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(96)00159-x.

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol intake and obesity remains uncertain. Evidence suggesting that alcohol-derived energy may be unregulated points to an inability to maintain appetite, energy balance and, hence, body weight when alcohol is introduced to the diet. This study investigated the short-term effects of alcohol on hunger and energy intake in 20 lean women. On 4 occasions, subjects were given a randomised preload drink ('alcohol', 'no alcohol', 'carbohydrate', 'water') followed by visual analogue scales (VAS) rating hunger and an ad lib test meal. There was no difference in hunger ratings (p > 0.05) nor in the amount of energy consumed during the test meal (F = 1.66, p > 0.05) following any of the 4 preloads. Consumption of the 2 high energy preload drinks ('alcohol', 0.91 MJ; 'CHO', 0.72 MJ) did not result in a compensatory decrease in the amount of energy subsequently eaten (ad lib intake: 'alcohol' = 2.62 MJ, 0.32 SEM; 'no alcohol' = 2.98 MJ, 0.28 SEM; 'CHO' = 2.93 MJ, 0.21 SEM; 'water' = 2.82 MJ, 0.25 SEM), suggesting either no physiological recognition or no regulation of energy consumed within a drink in quantities of less than 1 MJ. The addition of either alcoholic or CHO-containing carbonated beverages into the diet will result, in the short-term, to an overall increase in energy intake.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking*
  • Appetite / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Energy Intake / drug effects*
  • Ethanol / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Ethanol