Long-term low-dose ethanol intake improves healthspan and resists high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice

Few studies have focused on the beneficial effects of ethanol, the common component in alcoholic beverages.
In a mouse study, C57BL/6 mice were fed with 3.5% v/v ethanol as drinking water substitute to investigate the effects of long-term low-dose ethanol intake in vivo. Scientists evaluated the metabolic rate and mitochondrial function of the long-term low-dose ethanol-intake (LLE) mice, assessed the exercise ability of LLE mice, and fed the LLE mice with a high-fat diet to investigate the potential impact of ethanol on it.
The LLE mice showed improved thermogenic activity, physical performance, and mitochondrial function, as well as resistance against the high-fat diet-induced obesity with elevated insulin sensitivity and subdued inflammation.
These results suggest that long-term low-dose ethanol intake can improve health span and resist high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. It may provide new insight into understanding the protective effects of moderate alcohol drinking.
Source: Diao Y, Nie J, Tan P, Zhao Y, Zhao T, Tu J, Ji H, Cao Y, Wu Z, Liang H, Huang H, Li Y, Gao X, et al. Long-term low-dose ethanol intake improves health span and resists high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Aging (Albany NY). 2020; 12:13128-13146.