Many of us have heard friends point to the nutritional aspects of alcoholic beverages when rationalizing decisions to order a second or third round: Red wine is good for the heart. The fruit in sangria is a source of vitamin C. That bloody Mary has tomato juice, which counts as a vegetable serving. You get the idea.
But playing up the presumed health benefits of wine and cocktails may not pay off in the end. Findings published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association show that increased alcohol consumption may lead people to make poor dietary choices.
The study analyzed data from 15,000 U.S. adults collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. According to a release:
[Researchers] were able to identify specific dietary components that worsened with increased alcohol intake. In addition to decreased fruit consumption and increased caloric intake among both men and women, the researchers found that increased alcoholic beverage consumption was associated with a decreased intake of whole grains and milk among men.
People who unwind at the end of the day with a libation are encouraged to drink in moderation and eat nutrient-dense foods such as whole fruits and whole grains.
Photo by will ockenden
