Associations Between Self-Reported Alcohol Consumption and Macronutrient Intake in a Population-Based Health Study - The Tromsø Study: Tromsø7 (2015–2016)

Abstract

Alcohol, or ethanol, is a widely consumed psychoactive substance that contributes substantially to the global burden of disease. While alcohol can serve as an energy source, it provides no essential nutrients. Alcohol consumption and dietary habits are major lifestyle factors that influence health outcomes, vary across socioeconomic groups, and are of significant relevance to public health. Exploring potential interactions between alcohol intake and diet could be of public health interest. The present study examines associations between alcohol consumption and macronutrient intake in a general adult population.

We used cross-sectional data from 13,137 to 18,200 participants in the Tromsø Study (Tromsø7, 2015–2016; total n = 21,083), including information on sociodemographics, alcohol use, and dietary intake. All data were self-reported via questionnaires completed by study participants. We conducted group comparisons, correlation analyses, and linear regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted for total energy intake.

Correlations were found between alcohol intake and macronutrients including protein, fat, several fat subtypes, and starch. Before adjusting for total energy intake, weak positive associations were observed between alcohol consumption and intake of protein, fat, and starch. After energy adjustment, inverse associations emerged between alcohol intake and all macronutrients, especially carbohydrates and the subcomponents simple sugars and dietary fiber. Higher alcohol risk levels, based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, were associated with higher intake of total energy, protein, fat, and starch compared to lower-risk groups.

The findings suggest that alcohol consumption displaces intake of all non-alcoholic macronutrients, with simple sugars and dietary fiber being disproportionately reduced relative to protein, fat, and starch. Further research is needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and assess potential confounders, including whether these patterns persist across different population groups and over time.