Sunday, March 28, 2010

Alcohol Intake Associated with Unhealthy Diet

Toronto Sun


People who drink alcohol are more likely to eat less fruit and consume more calories by munching on foods that are high in fat and sugar, a new study says.

Researchers followed more than 15,000 adults in the U.S. and found that increased alcohol consumption is associated with decreased diet quality.

"Heavy drinking and dietary factors have independently been associated with cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and other chronic health problems," said Kenneth R. Warren, acting director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "This finding raises questions about whether the combination of alcohol misuse and poor diet might interact to further increase health risks."

The researchers found men who drink more alcohol consume fewer whole grains and drink less milk.

The study, conducted by the NIAAA, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, appears in the April issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

The researchers analyzed data from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an ongoing survey of cross-sectional samples of the U.S. population.

Although the study noted a correlation between drinking and poor diet habits, it didn't determine why that's the case.

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