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1.
Effects of Mixing Energy Drinks With Alcohol on Driving-Related Skills.
Pérez-Mañá, C, Mateus, JA, Díaz-Pellicer, P, Díaz-Baggerman, A, Pérez, M, Pujadas, M, Fonseca, F, Papaseit, E, Pujol, J, Langohr, K, et al
The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology. 2022;(1):13-25
Abstract
BACKGROUND Energy drinks (EDs) reduce sleepiness and fatigue and improve driving performance whereas alcohol does just the opposite. Although it is a trendy combination among young people, the effects of alcohol mixed with EDs on driving performance have been poorly studied. The aim was to assess if there is an interaction between the effects of both drinks on driving-related skills as well as perceptions about driving ability. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled 4-way crossover clinical trial. Participants were 16 healthy volunteers. Interventions of 60 g of ethanol and 750 mL of Red Bull (RB) were administered in 2 separated doses. Conditions were alcohol + RB placebo, alcohol + RB, alcohol placebo + RB, and both placebos. Objective performance was assessed using a tracking test and simple reaction time, N-Back, and movement estimation tasks. Additionally, willingness to drive, other subjective effects, and ethanol and caffeine blood concentrations were also measured. RESULTS Alcohol increased the time outside the road in the tracking test and increased simple reaction time, but the addition of RB had no main or interaction effects on performance. Nonetheless, driving-related skills after alcohol + RB were better than after alcohol alone. Willingness to drive increased with the combination of drinks. RB also reduced alcohol-induced sedation whereas drunkenness did not change. These effects were seen even though alcohol + RB increased alcohol (14.8%) and caffeine plasma concentrations (17.6%). CONCLUSIONS Mixing EDs with alcohol predisposes consumers to drive under alcohol influence, perhaps in part because EDs counteract its detrimental effects on driving-related skills. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02771587.
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Effects of Acute Alcohol Consumption on Food Intake and Pictorial Stroop Response to High-Calorie Food Cues.
Adams, S, Wijk, E
Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). 2021;(3):275-283
Abstract
AIMS: We examined (a) the effect of an acute dose of alcohol on the consumption of energy-dense food and (b) on cognitive bias towards high-energy-dense food cues and (3) whether the effect of an acute dose of alcohol on the consumption of energy-dense food would be mediated by cognitive bias towards high-energy-dense food cues. METHODS Heavy social drinkers (n = 40) abstained from drinking for 12 hours before testing. On the test day, participants completed pre-challenge measures of alcohol and food craving, and cognitive bias towards alcohol in a placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Participants performed post-challenge measures of alcohol and food craving, ad lib energy-dense food consumption and cognitive bias. RESULTS We did not observe any of the hypothesized interactions between challenge condition, consumption of energy-dense food and cognitive bias towards high-energy-dense food cues. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that acute alcohol consumption does not influence the consumption of energy-dense food or cognitive bias towards high-energy-dense food cues. These findings may reflect that alcohol does not increase the appetitive value of food and food-related cues or that the measures used in this study were not sensitive to detect an effect. Further research is required to determine whether alcohol at higher doses and/or food cues that are frequently paired with alcohol intake stimulates changes in food intake and the reward value of food cues.
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The dosing procedure that "makes the poison": Comparing the effects of single versus cumulative alcohol administration methods on emotion recognition.
Nagar, M, Weller, A, Rabinovitz, S
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 2021;(11):1411-1419
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people often consume alcohol cumulatively and gradually. Yet almost scientific knowledge about alcohol's acute effects on cognition, behavior, and affect stems from laboratory studies that employ a single beverage administration procedure. OBJECTIVE This study tests the hypothesis that alcohol's acute effects depend on both methods of administration and alcohol blood level. We introduce a new laboratory procedure for studying cumulative alcohol drinking and examine alcohol's effects on emotion recognition as a function of both alcohol administration method and alcohol blood level. METHODS Participants were recruited for one of two studies. One study employed a between-subject design using a single alcoholic dose. Participants were randomly assigned to drink either placebo (0.00%), low (0.03%), moderate (0.06%), or high (0.09%) alcohol levels. The second study employed a within-subject design using a cumulative alcoholic administration method, in which each participant drank four drinks (placebo, followed by three alcoholic drinks). Both groups reached similar breath alcohol concentrations. In both studies, participants attended a single study session, in which emotion recognition was examined following alcohol administration. RESULTS Single alcoholic beverage administration method caused greater impairment in emotion recognition ability, specifically for anger, happiness, and fear, as compared with cumulative administration method, even though breath alcohol levels were similar in both conditions. CONCLUSIONS This paper presents questions concerning the internal validity of previous laboratory studies that use a single beverage administration procedure. Insights into the effects of alcohol on behavior, as well as regarding our knowledge about models of addiction are presented.
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4.
The effect of moderate wine consumption on cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells: A randomized clinical study in coronary heart disease patients.
Fragopoulou, E, Argyrou, C, Detopoulou, M, Tsitsou, S, Seremeti, S, Yannakoulia, M, Antonopoulou, S, Kolovou, G, Kalogeropoulos, P
Cytokine. 2021;:155629
Abstract
Many studies conclude that wine consumption is related to lower risk for cardiovascular diseases partially through the amelioration of inflammatory biomarkers. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of wine consumption on the inflammatory response and to compare these effects with the consumption of similar amount of alcohol without the wine micro-constituents in cardiovascular disease patients. Therefore, a randomized, single-blind, controlled, three-arm parallel intervention study was designed. Cardiovascular disease patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. In Group A participants consumed no alcohol, in Group B (ethanol group) and Group C (wine group) participants consumed 27 g of alcohol per day. Biological samples were collected at the beginning, on the 4th and 8th week and several biomarkers were measured. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells that were isolated from patients were incubated under basal and inflammatory conditions for 4 and 24 h and the secretion of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was measured. No significant difference was observed among the three groups before the initiation or during the intervention in the most soluble biomarkers. Higher TNFα secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed at basal conditions in the ethanol group both at 4 and 24 h of incubation versus baseline secretion. Furthermore, lower secretion of the ΤNFα was observed after 8 weeks of intake in the wine group versus the ethanol group, both at 4 and 24 h of incubation. In conclusion, the light to moderate wine consumption for 8 weeks revealed an attenuation of the ethanol consumption effect on cytokine secretion at basal conditions from the patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
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5.
Muscle Glycogen Utilization during Exercise after Ingestion of Alcohol.
Smith, HA, Hengist, A, Bonson, DJ, Walhin, JP, Jones, R, Tsintzas, K, Afman, GH, Gonzalez, JT, Betts, JA
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2021;(1):211-217
Abstract
PURPOSE Ingested ethanol (EtOH) is metabolized gastrically and hepatically, which may influence resting and exercise metabolism. Previous exercise studies have provided EtOH intravenously rather than orally, altering the metabolic effects of EtOH. No studies to date have investigated the effects of EtOH ingestion on systemic and peripheral (e.g., skeletal muscle) exercise metabolism. METHODS Eight men (mean ± SD; age = 24 ± 5 yr, body mass = 76.7 ± 5.6 kg, height = 1.80 ± 0.04 m, V˙O2peak = 4.1 ± 0.2 L·min) performed two bouts of fasted cycling exercise at 55% V˙O2peak for 2 h, with (EtOH) and without (control) prior ingestion of EtOH 1 h and immediately before exercise (total dose = 0.1 g·kg lean body mass·h; 30.2 ± 1.1 g 40% ABV Vodka; fed in two equal boluses) in a randomized order, separated by 7-10 d. RESULTS Muscle glycogen use during exercise was not different between conditions (mean [normalized 95% confidence interval]; EtOH, 229 [156-302] mmol·kg dm, vs control, 258 [185-331] mmol·kg dm; P = 0.67). Mean plasma glucose concentrations during exercise were similar (control, 5.26 [5.22-5.30], vs EtOH, 5.34 [5.30-5.38]; P = 0.06). EtOH ingestion resulted in similar plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations compared with rest (control, 0.43 [0.31-0.55] mmol·L, vs EtOH, 0.30 [0.21-0.40] mmol·L) and during exercise. Plasma lactate concentration was higher during the first 30 min of rest after EtOH consumption (mean concentration; control, 0.83 [0.77-0.90] mmol·L, vs EtOH, 1.00 [0.93-1.07] mmol·L), but the response during exercise was similar between conditions. CONCLUSIONS Muscle glycogen utilization was similar during exercise with or without prior EtOH ingestion, reflected in similar total whole-body carbohydrate oxidation rates observed.
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6.
Consumer perception and behaviour related to low-alcohol wine: do people overcompensate?
Bucher, T, Frey, E, Wilczynska, M, Deroover, K, Dohle, S
Public health nutrition. 2020;(11):1939-1947
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compared with standard wines, low-alcohol wines may have several social and health benefits. Innovative production processes have led to high-quality light wines. It is, however, unclear how consumers perceive and consume these alcohol-reduced wines. The current study aimed to investigate how people evaluate low-alcohol wine (Sauvignon Blanc) and if the reduction in alcohol and the information that a wine is low in alcohol influences consumption. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial (RCT). SETTING Participants were invited to a wine tasting and randomised into one of the three conditions: they either tasted a 'new white wine' (12·5 % alcohol content), a 'new low-alcohol white wine' (8·0 % alcohol content) or they tasted the low-alcohol wine but were not aware that the wine was reduced in alcohol (low-alcohol, blinded). PARTICIPANTS Ninety participants (42 % male, mean age = 41 (sd 14) years). RESULTS Mean comparisons showed similar ratings for the low-alcohol conditions and the standard alcohol condition (mean > 5·6/7). The mean consumed amount across all conditions did not differ (162 (sd 71) ml, (F2,86 = 0·43, P > 0·05)), hence people who tasted the low-alcohol wine consumed approximately 30 % less alcohol. However, participants were willing to pay more for the normal wine compared with the low-alcohol wine, (F2,87 = 3·14, P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS Participants did not alter their drinking behaviour in response to the reduced alcohol content, and the low-alcohol wine was perceived positively. There might be an emerging market potential for wine of reduced alcohol content, but consumers may not be willing to pay the same price as for the standard wine.
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Essential Amino Acid Supplement Lowers Intrahepatic Lipid despite Excess Alcohol Consumption.
Coker, MS, Ladd, KR, Kim, J, Murphy, CJ, DeCort, R, Newcomer, BR, Wolfe, RR, Coker, RH
Nutrients. 2020;(1)
Abstract
Excess alcohol consumption is a top risk factor for death and disability. Fatty liver will likely develop and the risk of liver disease increases. We have previously demonstrated that an essential amino acid supplement (EAAS) improved protein synthesis and reduced intrahepatic lipid in the elderly. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to initiate the evaluation of EAAS on intrahepatic lipid (IHL), body composition, and blood lipids in individuals with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder (AUD). Following consent, determination of eligibility, and medical screening, 25 participants (18 males at 38 ± 15 years/age and 7 females at 34 ± 18 years/age) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two dosages: a low dose (LD: 8 g of EAAS twice/day (BID)) or high dose (HD: 13 g of EAAS BID). Five of the twenty-five enrolled participants dropped out of the intervention. Both groups consumed the supplement BID for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-EAAS administration, IHL was determined using magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy, body composition was analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and blood parameters were measured by LabCorp. T-tests were used for statistical analysis and considered significant at p < 0.05. While there was no significant change in IHL in the LD group, there was a significant 23% reduction in IHL in the HD group (p = 0.02). Fat mass, lean tissue mass, bone mineral content, and blood lipids were not altered. Post-EAAS phosphatidylethanol was elevated and remained unchanged in LD at 407 ± 141 ng/mL and HD at 429 ± 196 ng/mL, indicating chronic and excess alcohol consumption. The HD of the proprietary EAAS formulation consumed BID seemed to lower IHL in individuals with mild to moderate AUD. We suggest that further studies in a larger cohort be conducted to more completely address this important area of investigation.
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A nationwide randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled physicians' trial of loxoprofen for the treatment of fatigue, headache, and nausea after hangovers.
Hara, M, Hayashi, K, Kitamura, T, Honda, M, Tamaki, M
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.). 2020;:21-25
Abstract
Hangovers are associated with negative economic consequences due to decreased job performance or frequent visits to physicians. Thus, a new strategy for the alleviation of hangover-related symptoms is needed to avoid this detriment to society. The purpose of this nationwide randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled physicians' trial was to evaluate the efficacy of loxoprofen sodium for the alleviation of fatigue, headache, and nausea after hangover. A total of 229 participants were randomized to receive loxoprofen sodium (60 mg once orally) or placebo. The study was closed when the first 150 participants (n = 74 in the loxoprofen vs. n = 76 in the placebo groups) experienced hangovers. The primary endpoint was set as the difference in severity of general fatigue before and 3 h after taking the test drugs and was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. Secondary endpoints included difference in severity of headache, nausea, and incidence of adverse events. The study participants were 34 (interquartile range; 30-39) years old, 92.0% were men, and both groups were comparable for baseline characteristics. The alleviation of general fatigue did not differ statistically between the loxoprofen and placebo groups (24 [14-49] vs. 19 [9-35], p = 0.07). However, the alleviation of headache was statistically greater in the loxoprofen group (25 [10-50] vs. 10 [2-30], adjusted difference 14, 95% confidence interval 8-21, p < 0.001), whereas, there was no difference in nausea (7 [0-27] vs. 10 [0-24], p = 0.68). The incidence of adverse symptoms such as epigastric discomfort was also comparable between groups (2.7% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.25). Loxoprofen sodium was effective for relieving headaches after hangovers but did not alleviate general fatigue or nausea.
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Moderate Wine Consumption Reduces Faecal Water Cytotoxicity in Healthy Volunteers.
Zorraquín-Peña, I, González de Llano, D, Tamargo, A, Moreno-Arribas, MV, Bartolomé, B
Nutrients. 2020;(9)
Abstract
There are some studies that suggest that moderate consumption of wine, as part of a healthy and balanced diet, has a favourable effect on intestinal health. This study evaluates the effect of moderate wine consumption on faecal water (FW) cytotoxicity as a parameter of gut health. To that end, faecal samples before and after a red wine intervention study (250 mL of wine/day, 4 weeks) in healthy volunteers (n = 8) and in a parallel control group (n = 3) were collected and assayed for in vitro FW cytotoxicity. Two reference compounds, phenol and p-cresol, were used for assessing the cytotoxicity assays using two colon epithelial cell lines (HT-29 and HCT 116) and different assay conditions (FW dilution and incubation time). For the two cell lines and all assay conditions, the means of percentage cell viability were higher (lower cytotoxicity) for samples collected after the red wine intervention than for those collected before, although significant (p < 0.05) differences were only found in certain assay conditions for both cell lines. Significant positive correlations between the percentage cell viability and the contents of some faecal metabolites (short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and phenolic acids (PA)) were found for the more resistant cell line (HCT 116), suggesting that the reduction in FW cytotoxicity observed after moderate red wine consumption was related to the production of microbial-derived metabolites such as SCFA and PA, whose faecal contents have been shown to increase after wine consumption. FW cytotoxicity can be deemed as a holistic biomarker that involves diet, gut microbiota and host.
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10.
Geographical variations in maternal lifestyles during pregnancy associated with congenital heart defects among live births in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China.
Liu, Y, Zhang, H, Li, J, Liang, C, Zhao, Y, Chen, F, Wang, D, Pei, L
Scientific reports. 2020;(1):12958
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to explore regional differences in maternal lifestyle during pregnancy related to congenital heart defects (CHD) in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China. A large-scale epidemiologic survey of birth defects among infants born during 2010-2013, was conducted in Shaanxi province. Non-spatial and geographic weighted logistic regression models were used for analysis. The spatial model indicated that passive smoking frequency was positively associated with CHD for 43.3% of participants (P < 0.05), with the highest OR in North Shaanxi and the lowest in South Shaanxi. Approximately 49.2% of all mothers who ever drink tea were more likely to have an infant with CHD (P < 0.05), with the highest OR values observed in North and Central Shaanxi. Additionally, maternal alcohol intake frequency ≥ 1/week was significantly correlated with CHD among about 24.7% of participants (P < 0.05), with OR values ranging from 0.738 (Central Shaanxi) to 1.198 (North Shaanxi). The rates of unhealthy maternal lifestyles during pregnancy associated with CHD differed in various areas of the province. The role of geographical variations in these factors may provide some possible clues and basis for tailoring site-specific intervention strategies.