Association between alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic syndrome

Aims Examine associations between self-reported alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods Sample (N = 7432) included adult (20 years) participants in the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results Above moderate alcohol consumption (AMAC) was negatively associated with waist circumference among those in the 20-29, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups (β = -6.21, β = -8.34, and β = -6.60, respectively) and moderate alcohol consumption (MAC) was negatively associated with waist circumference among those in the 30-39, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups (β = -4.60, β = -5.69, and β = -2.88, respectively). AMAC was negatively associated with triglycerides among those in the 70-79 and 80+ age groups (β = -23.62 and β = -34.18, respectively) and positively associated with HDL-C levels in all groups (β range 8.96-18.25). MAC was positively associated with HDL-C in the age groups spanning 20-69 years (β range 3.05-5.34) and those over 80 (β = 5.26). AMAC and MAC were negatively associated with fasting glucose levels in the 20-29 and 70-79 age groups (β = -3.38 and -15.61, respectively). MAC was negatively associated with fasting glucose levels among those 70-79 and those over 80 years of age (β = -7.06 and β = -5.00, respectively). Conclusion MAC and AMAC may favorably impact metabolic health.