Relation between homocysteine concentrations and the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages: the French Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Study.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies on the effects of alcohol consumption on total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations showed contradictory results. The conflicting results may derive in part from confounding by the type of alcoholic beverage consumed.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate in a predominantly wine-drinking French population whether the relation between alcohol consumption and homocysteine concentrations is dependent on the type of alcoholic beverage consumed.


METHODS
In 1996, a cross-sectional study measuring tHcy and red blood cell folate concentrations was conducted in 1196 middle-aged women and men from the French Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Study. Intakes of alcohol, energy, coffee, and B vitamins were assessed by 6 separate 24-h dietary records from the previous year.


RESULTS
tHcy concentrations were positively associated with wine intake (P = 0.01) in the women and with beer intake in the men (P = 0.002). No association with the consumption of spirits was observed. The association between beer consumption and tHcy concentrations in the men was modified by the consumption of wine; the association was positive in wine drinkers, whereas an inverse trend was seen in those who drank no wine.


CONCLUSIONS
Wine consumption may increase tHcy concentrations, whereas beer consumption seems to have no effect (or even an inverse effect) on tHcy.
Mennen
Louise I
LI
UMR INSERM unit 557/INRA unit 1125, Institut Scientifique et Technique de la Nutrition et de l'Alimentation, Paris, France. s_mennen@vcnam.cnam.fr
de Courcy
Geneviève Potier
GP
Guilland
Jean-Claude
JC
Ducros
Véronique
V
Zarebska
Marjorie
M
Bertrais
Sandrine
S
Favier
Alain
A
Hercberg
Serge
S
Galan
Pilar
P
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001515:Beer; D015930:Diet Records; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014920:Wine
D000975:Antioxidants; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine