Exploring the association between self-reported alcohol consumption and intake of micronutrients. An analysis based on data from a general population study: The seventh survey of the Tromsø Study (Tromsø7) in 2015-2016

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption may affect dietary patterns and nutrient intake, but the association between alcohol use and micronutrient could be investigated further. Understanding how alcohol consumption relates to the intake of micronutrients is important for public health, also in populations with moderate to high alcohol use.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study used self-reported data from the seventh survey of the Tromsø Study (Tromsø7, 2015–2016). A total of 21,069 adults aged 40 years and older were included. Alcohol intake, measured in grams per day, was estimated from a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In addition, participants were categorized into low-, moderate-, or high/severe-risk groups based on their scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Micronutrient intake was also derived from the FFQ and calculated using standardized food composition tables. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and linear regression models (both unadjusted and adjusted for total energy intake) were used to examine associations between alcohol consumption and micronutrient intake also taking total energy intake into consideration.

Results: Participants with higher self-reported alcohol intake also reported greater total energy intake and higher unadjusted intake of several micronutrients. However, after adjusting for total energy intake, alcohol consumption was negatively associated with key nutrients including folate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and zinc. Iron and magnesium were not significantly associated with alcohol intake in adjusted models. These findings suggest that alcohol may displace nutrient-dense foods when total energy intake is accounted for.

Conclusion: Greater alcohol intake was linked to higher energy intake and slightly increased unadjusted micronutrient intake. After adjusting for total energy intake, alcohol showed inverse associations with several key micronutrients. This may have implications for dietary quality among frequent drinkers. Further studies are needed to explore potential health outcomes linked to these dietary patterns and whether similar associations are observed in other populations.

Background: Alcohol consumption may affect dietary patterns and nutrient intake, but the association between alcohol use and micronutrient could be investigated further. Understanding how alcohol consumption relates to the intake of micronutrients is important for public health, also in populations with moderate to high alcohol use.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study used self-reported data from the seventh survey of the Tromsø Study (Tromsø7, 2015–2016). A total of 21,069 adults aged 40 years and older were included. Alcohol intake, measured in grams per day, was estimated from a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In addition, participants were categorized into low-, moderate-, or high/severe-risk groups based on their scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Micronutrient intake was also derived from the FFQ and calculated using standardized food composition tables. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and linear regression models (both unadjusted and adjusted for total energy intake) were used to examine associations between alcohol consumption and micronutrient intake also taking total energy intake into consideration.

Results: Participants with higher self-reported alcohol intake also reported greater total energy intake and higher unadjusted intake of several micronutrients. However, after adjusting for total energy intake, alcohol consumption was negatively associated with key nutrients including folate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and zinc. Iron and magnesium were not significantly associated with alcohol intake in adjusted models. These findings suggest that alcohol may displace nutrient-dense foods when total energy intake is accounted for.

Conclusion: Greater alcohol intake was linked to higher energy intake and slightly increased unadjusted micronutrient intake. After adjusting for total energy intake, alcohol showed inverse associations with several key micronutrients. This may have implications for dietary quality among frequent drinkers. Further studies are needed to explore potential health outcomes linked to these dietary patterns and whether similar associations are observed in other populations.