The effect of ethanol on fat storage in healthy subjects.
BACKGROUND
Ethanol can account for up to 10 percent of the energy intake of persons who consume moderate amounts of ethanol. Its effect on energy metabolism, however, is not known.


METHODS
We studied the effect of ethanol on 24-hour substrate-oxidation rates in eight normal men during two 48-hour sessions in an indirect-calorimetry chamber. In each session, the first 24 hours served as the control period. On the second day of one session, an additional 25 percent of the total energy requirement was added as ethanol (mean [+/- SD], 96 +/- 4 g per day); during the other session, 25 percent of the total energy requirement was replaced by ethanol, which was isocalorically substituted for lipids and carbohydrates.


RESULTS
Both the addition of ethanol and the isocaloric substitution of ethanol for other foods reduced 24-hour lipid oxidation. The respective mean (+/- SE) decreases were 49.4 +/- 6.7 and 44.1 +/- 9.3 g per day (i.e., reductions of 36 +/- 3 percent and 31 +/- 7 percent from the oxidation rate during the control day; P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.0025). This effect occurred only during the daytime period (8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.), when ethanol was consumed and metabolized. Neither the addition of ethanol to the diet nor the isocaloric substitution of ethanol for other foods significantly altered the oxidation of carbohydrate or protein. Both regimens including ethanol produced an increase in 24-hour energy expenditure (7 +/- 1 percent with the addition of ethanol, P less than 0.001; 4 +/- 1 percent with the substitution of ethanol for other energy sources, P less than 0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
Ethanol, either added to the diet or substituted for other foods, increases 24-hour energy expenditure and decreases lipid oxidation. Habitual consumption of ethanol in excess of energy needs probably favors lipid storage and weight gain.
Suter
P M
PM
Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Schutz
Y
Y
Jequier
E
E
D000328:Adult; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015430:Weight Gain
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D000431:Ethanol