The biphasic effects of moderate alcohol consumption with a meal on ambiance-induced mood and autonomic nervous system balance: a randomized crossover trial.
BACKGROUND
The pre-drinking mood state has been indicated to be an important factor in the mood effects of alcohol. However, for moderate alcohol consumption there are no controlled studies showing this association. Also, the mood effects of consuming alcohol combined with food are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate alcohol combined with a meal on ambiance-induced mood states. Furthermore effects on autonomic nervous system activity were measured to explore physiological mechanisms that may be involved in changes of mood state.


METHODS
In a crossover design 28 women (age 18-45 y, BMI 18.5-27 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to 4 conditions in which they received 3 glasses of sparkling white wine (30 g alcohol) or alcohol-free sparkling white wine while having dinner in a room with either a pleasant or unpleasant created ambiance. Subjects filled out questionnaires (B-BAES, POMS and postprandial wellness questionnaire) at different times. Skin conductance and heart rate variability were measured continuously.


RESULTS
Moderate alcohol consumption increased happiness scores in the unpleasant, but not in the pleasant ambiance. Alcohol consumption increased happiness and stimulation feelings within 1 hour and increased sedative feelings and sleepiness for 2.5 hour. Skin conductance was increased after alcohol within 1 hour and was related to happiness and stimulation scores. Heart rate variability was decreased after alcohol for 2 hours and was related to mental alertness.


CONCLUSIONS
Mood inductions and autonomic nervous system parameters may be useful to evaluate mood changes by nutritional interventions. Moderate alcohol consumption elevates happiness scores in an unpleasant ambiance. However, drinking alcohol during a pleasant mood results in an equally positive mood state.


BACKGROUND
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01426022.
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands ; Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Ilse C
IC
Schrieks
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Annette
A
Stafleu
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Victor L
VL
Kallen
EagleScience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Marc
M
Grootjen
Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Renger F
RF
Witkamp
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Henk F J
HF
Hendriks
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D062407:Meals; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult