SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION ON APPETITE AND ENERGY-INTAKE

The relationship between alcohol intake and obesity remains uncertain. Evidence suggesting that alcohol-derived energy may be unregulated po ints to an inability to maintain appetite, energy balance and, hence, body weight when alcohol is Introduced to the diet. This study investi gated the short-term effects of alcohol on hunger and energy intake in 20 lean women. On 4 occasions, subjects were given a randomised prelo ad drink ('alcohol', 'no alcohol', 'carbohydrate' 'water') followed by visual analogue scales (VAS) rating hunger and an ad lib test meal. T here was no difference in hunger ratings (p > 0.05) nor in the amount of energy consumed during the test meal (F = 1.66, p > 0.05) following any of the 4 preloads. Consumption of the 2 high energy preload drink s ('alcohol', 0.91 MJ; 'CHO', 0.72 MJ) did not result in a compensator y decrease in the amount of energy subsequently eaten (ad lib intake: 'alcohol' = 2.62 MJ, 0.32 SEM; 'no alcohol' = 2.98 MJ, 0.28 SEM; 'CHO' = 2.93 MJ, 0.21 SEM; 'water' = 2.82 MJ, 0.25 SEM), suggesting either no physiological recognition or no regulation of energy consumed withi n a drink in quantities of less than 1 MJ. The addition of either alco holic or CHO-containing carbonated beverages into the diet will result , in the short-term, to an overall increase in energy intake.