Alcohol consumption and insulin resistance in young adults

Background Alcohol may have a cardioprotective effect. One possible mechani sm is by reducing insulin resistance, a known cardiovascular risk factor. T he aim of this study was to assess the relationship between alcohol consump tion, insulin resistance and other parameters determining glucose tolerance in 154 young men and women. Subjects and methods Subjects completed a questionnaire documenting weekly alcohol consumption. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were measure d using the intravenous glucose tolerance test with minimal model analysis. Height, weight, usual level of exercise, smoking habits and socio-economic status were also recorded. Results Insulin sensitivity correlated inversely with body mass index (r = - 0.529, P < 0.001) but not with level of physical fitness. Women were sign ificantly less insulin sensitive than men (4.19 and 5.63 10(4) min(-1) pmol (-1) L-1, respectively; P < 0.001). Insulin sensitivity correlated positive ly with alcohol consumption and this trend remained significant allowing fo r body mass index and gender (beta = 0.17, P < 0.014). First-phase insulin secretion showed a weak but non-significant trend in the opposite direction . Fasting glucose, fasting insulin and glucose tolerance showed no relation ships with alcohol consumption. Conclusion These data suggest a close relationship between alcohol consumpt ion and insulin resistance in young adults. Regular alcohol consumption is associated with decreased insulin resistance and this may partly explain th e cardioprotective effect of alcohol.