EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON POSTMEAL FAT STORAGE

Energy expenditure and macronutrient balances were assessed in normal healthy men by whole-body indirect calorimetry after meals consumed wi th and without ethanol to test the theory that alcohol energy is not f ully available because of futile cycling. Alcohol addition (A) or isoe nergetic substitution (S) caused fat retention by significantly suppre ssing its oxidation when the alcohol was actively metabolized (0-6 h). However, on protocol S, fat balance was later reestablished due to ra ised fat oxidation (6-20.5 h) secondary to a relative carbohydrate def iciency. On protocol A, fat balance remained significantly raised. The thermogenic effect of alcohol was similar to that of carbohydrate, pr oviding no evidence for futile cycling. Short-term studies that fail t o account for later readjustments of macronutrient balance can be misl eading. We conclude that alcohol has a fat-sparing effect similar to t hat of carbohydrate and will only cause fat gain when consumed in exce ss of normal energy needs.