Alcohol consumption patterns and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the adult population of Spain

The association between various indicators of alcohol consumption and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated among the Spanish adult population in a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
The cross-sectional study included 44,834 participants ≥ 15 years of age from the 2017 National Health Survey and the 2020 European Health Survey in Spain. Alcohol patterns were defined based on (1) average intake: individuals were classified as low risk (1-20 g/day in men and 1-10 g/day in women) and high risk (> 20 g/day in men or > 10 g/day in women), (2) binge drinking, and (3) alcoholic beverage preference. Non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet was defined as scoring < 7 points on an adapted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener index (range 0-10).
Compared to non-drinkers, low and high-risk drinkers were more likely to report non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet: ORs 1.35 (95% CI 1.23; 1.49) and 1.54 (95% CI 1.34; 1.76), respectively. Similarly, reports of binge drinking less than once a month was associated with higher likelihood of non-adherence (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.04; 1.31). Individuals reporting no preference for a specific beverage and those with a preference for beer or for spirits had lower adherence: ORs 1.18 (95% CI 1.05; 1.33), 1.31 (95% CI 1.17; 1.46), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.17; 2.54), respectively, while a preference for wine showed no association (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.90; 1.13).
Alcohol consumption, even in low amounts, is associated with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, alcoholic beverages should not be included in measures that define the Mediterranean diet, the study authors conclude.
Source: Fontán-Vela J, Ortiz C, López-Cuadrado T, Téllez-Plaza M, García-Esquinas E, Galán I. Alcohol consumption patterns and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the adult population of Spain. Eur J Nutr. 2024 Jan 13. Doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03318-2.