Association of the amount of alcohol consumption with change in skeletal muscle and fat mass among Korean adults

The association between changes in alcohol consumption and body composition remains unclear. Researchers investigated the association between changes in drinking habits and muscle mass and fat mass in adults.
From the Health Examinees in Korea, the study population (N = 62 094) was categorised according to alcohol consumption (g of ethanol/day) and the changes in drinking habits between the baseline and follow-up periods were determined. Predicted muscle mass index (pMM), lean mass index, and fat mass index (pFM) were also calculated using age, sex, weight, height, and waist circumference. The β coefficient and adjusted means were then calculated using multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for covariates, including follow-up duration, calorie intake and protein intake.
Compared to the almost-unchanged drinking group (reference), there was no statistical difference or tendency of change in the pMMs of the most-decreased and the most-increased alcohol-consuming groups. The pFM decreased in those with less alcohol consumption and increased with increased alcohol consumption, compared to the no-change group.
Thus, changes in alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with changes in muscle mass. Increased alcohol consumption was associated with increased fat mass. Reducing the amount of alcohol consumption may improve body composition in terms of fat mass.
Source: Song J, Choi S, Park SJ, Kim SM, Cho Y, Lee G, Kim JS, Park SM. Association of the amount of alcohol consumption with change in skeletal muscle and fat mass among Korean adults. Alcohol. 2023 Sep;111:9-16.