Effects of Moderate Alcohol Intake on Markers of Liver Function in a Large Representative Sample of the U.S. Population

Abstract

Alcohol is consumed by most Americans, providing 5.8% of calories consumed. It has dose-dependent risks and benefits. Risks of high doses are well known but less is known regarding the effects of low and moderate doses. Therefore, the association of moderate alcohol consumption with liver function was examined in a representative sample of the US population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2010. The sample included 22,307 adults age 19 years and older. Intake was estimated using a self-report alcohol use questionnaire. Activities in U/L of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and bilirubin concentration in mg/dl were used as markers of liver function. Approximately 58.7% of the sample were alcohol consumers with a mean intake of 11.0±0.2 g/day. Men consumed 14.6±0.3 g/day, more than twice intake of women (6.4±0.2 g/day). Alcohol consumers had lower activity of ALP (-5.8%, P<0.0001) and higher AST (4.3%, P<0.0001), GGT (15.5%, P<0.0001) and bilirubin (3.3%, P=0.0049). Activities of ALT, AST, and GGT increased in a dose-dependent manner with increased alcohol intake. GGT was the most sensitive measure of alcohol consumption. Moderate alcohol consumption, as measured by alcohol use questionnaire, alters liver function, and NHANES data can be used to examine these changes. Views expressed here are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy of the US Army, Department of Defense, or US Government. Support: DoD/MRMC.