A recent study showed that individuals’ choice of alcoholic drinks also reflects their diet, and that people who prefer beer tend to have poorer diets compared to those who choose wine. The findings of the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients, were also presented at the annual Liver Meeting, held by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
As part of the research, scientists analyzed data from 1,900 U.S. adults, 39% of whom identified as beer-only drinkers, while 22% said they only drink wine, 18% said they only drink liquor, and 21% said they drink multiple types of alcohol.
The participants’ diet was assessed using the U.S. guideline Healthy Eating Index, based on a perfect score of 100, with a healthy diet score of 80. While none of the groups scored well overall, beer drinkers scored the worst, with an average score of 49. In addition, wine drinkers received an average score of 55, and liquor-only and combination drinkers had an average score of 53.
According to Dr. Madeline Novack, one of the study’s author and professor at the Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, “Alcohol overuse is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the United States, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rapidly increasing.” She also highlighted the importance of lifestyle changes for managing and preventing these liver diseases, as well as the critical connection between alcohol use and poor nutrition.
In addition, Dr. Novack also noted that the diet quality among drinkers can vary, and is often influenced by the typical food pairings with different types of alcohol. In contrast, beer drinkers tend to consume foods low in fiber but high in carbohydrates and processed meats, whereas wine drinkers, particularly those who choose red wine, are more likely to enjoy healthier meals alongside their drink. However, she also suggested that correlation is not always equal to causation, “Another possibility is the inverse, where dietary choices influence the choice of alcohol consumed.”
Importantly, the study results also highlighted crucial demographic and behavioral differences among beer and wine drinkers. Specifically, beer drinkers were more likely to live below the poverty line and engage in unhealthy behaviors, including smoking and avoiding exercise. The authors noted that these factors could probably compound the ramifications of poor diet quality. However, wine drinkers were typically older, wealthier, and less likely to engage in heavy drinking. Moreover, their dietary habits included a higher intake of whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins.
In their article, the researchers argued that these findings demonstrate an urgent need for public health campaigns and patient education that address the consequences of unhealthy diet and drinking. Specifically, they suggested creating tailored programs that target beer drinkers to improve their dietary habits and encourage physical activity, promoting food and drink pairings that support better dietary choices, and addressing income disparities and access to healthy food options to create long-term dietary improvements.
