Alcoholic Beverage Containers Research Articles

Determinants of perceived pain relief from acute alcohol intake in a laboratory setting

BackgroundStudies of alcohol analgesia often assume that changes in pain sensitivity reflect the negative reinforcing effects of alcohol in pain self-management. However, factors that may influence perceived pain relief due to alcohol use remain incompletely characterized. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to identify which factors are most strongly related to self-reported pain relief in individuals with and without chronic pain after alcohol consumption. MethodsThis study combined data from two studies of alcohol analgesia in individuals who regularly consume alcohol with and without chronic pain. Alcohol analgesia expectancies were assessed during screening. In laboratory sessions, participants received an alcohol-containing (.08g/dL target BrAC) or placebo beverage and rated subjective intoxication and subjective response (positive/negative aspects of stimulation/sedation). Participants underwent quantitative sensory testing to measure pain intensity, pain threshold, and relief. Paired sample t-tests determined effects of alcohol on pain measures. Hierarchical linear models determined factors associated with pain relief ratings in the alcohol condition. ResultsPain relief and pain threshold were higher in the alcohol session relative to placebo, but pain intensity did not differ. In a 4-step hierarchical linear model, expectancy of pain relief, subjective intoxication, and high positive affect, but not pain threshold or pain intensity, were significantly and uniquely associated with perceived relief. ConclusionsTaken together, results suggest the negative-reinforcing effects of alcohol for pain-management are not completely reflected by changes in pain sensitivity in a laboratory setting. Expectancies and subjective response may be important in determining an individual’s evaluation of alcohol’s efficacy for pain self-management.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption: A National Ecological Study in Mexican Adolescents.

Alcohol and cigarettes are the psychoactive substances that adolescents use most frequently. When both addictions are combined, they carry the worst burden of disease globally. The objective of this study was to identify whether socioeconomic factors correlate with alcohol and tobacco consumption in Mexican adolescents aged 10 years or more and to establish the relationship in the consumption between the two substances. This ecological study utilized data describing alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents aged 10-16 years (n = 48,837 ≈ N = 11,621,100). Having ever consumed any alcohol-containing beverage constituted alcohol consumption. Smoking a cigarette within 30 days constituted cigarette consumption. For both variables, the state-level percentages reported in the survey were used. Diverse socioeconomic variables were collected from official sources. Data on the prevalence of tobacco use and alcohol consumption were entered into an Excel database estimated for each of the states of the Mexican Republic, as well as the socioeconomic variables. We performed the analysis using Stata 14. Consumption prevalence was 15.0% for alcohol and 4.2% for tobacco. Alcohol consumption was not correlated with any studied socioeconomic variable (p > 0.05). The prevalence of tobacco consumption among elementary school students correlated (p < 0.05) with the portion of the population living in private dwellings without sewage, drainage, or sanitation (r = 0.3853). The prevalence of tobacco consumption among middle-school adolescents correlated with the portion of the employed population that earned up to two minimum wages (r = 0.3960), the percentage in poverty by income 2008 (r = 0.4754) and 2010 (r = 0.4531), and the percentage in extreme poverty by income 2008 (r = 0.4612) and 2010 (r = 0.4291). Positive correlations were found between tobacco consumption and alcohol consumption among both elementary (r = 0.5762, p=0.0006) and middle-school children (r = 0.7016, p=0.0000). These results suggest that certain socioeconomic factors correlate with tobacco consumption but not alcohol consumption. A correlation between alcohol consumption and tobacco consumption was observed. The results can be used for developing interventions in adolescents.

Warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers: a pilot randomized experiment among young adults in Mexico

BackgroundLittle is known about the potential impacts of visible and up-to-date health warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers on a range of outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted an experimental study to test the potential impacts of visible health warning labels (on the principal panel of the package) on thinking about health risks, product attractiveness, visual avoidance, and intention to change alcohol use among students in Mexico aged 18–30 years.MethodsA double-blind, parallel-group, online randomized trial was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 in 11 states in Mexico. In the control group, participants were presented with the image of a conventional beer can with a fictional design and brand. In the intervention groups, the participants observed pictograms with a red font and white backgrounds (health warning label in red—HWL red) or with a black font and yellow backgrounds (health warning label in yellow—HWL yellow), located at the top, covering around one-third of the beer can. We used Poisson regression models -unadjusted and adjusted for covariates- to assess differences in the outcomes across study groups.ResultsUsing intention-to-treat analysis (n = 610), we found more participants in groups HWL red and HWL yellow thought about the health risks from drinking beer compared to the control group [Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.43, CI95%:1.05,1.93 for HWL red; PR = 1.25, CI95%: 0.91, 1.71 for HWL yellow]. A lower percentage of young adults in the interventions vs control group considered the product attractive (PR 0.74, 95%CI 0.51, 1.06 for HWL red; PR 0.56, 95%CI 0.38, 0.83 for HWL yellow). Although not statistically significant, a lower percentage of participants in the intervention groups considered buying or consuming the product than the control group. Results were similar when models were adjusted for covariates.ConclusionsVisible health warning labels could lead individuals to think about the health risks of alcohol, reducing the attractiveness of the product and decreasing the intention to purchase and consume alcohol. Further studies will be required to determine which pictograms or images and legends are most contextually relevant for the country.Trial registrationThe protocol of this study was retrospectively registered on 03/01/2023: ISRCTN10494244.

Pain and alcohol consumption in virtual reality.

Research suggests situational pain may motivate alcohol consumption, suggesting that pain may be an antecedent for problematic drinking behavior. In this pilot project, we assessed the effect of a painful thermal stimulus on drinking topography in a virtual reality bar environment using real alcohol-containing beverages. We also examined psychosocial factors that may account for individual differences in pain as an antecedent for alcohol use. Participants (N = 20, Mage = 25.65 years, 55% female, 15% Hispanic/Latino/a/x) completed a psychosocial screening battery before completing two counterbalanced alcohol self-administration sessions. In each, participants experienced either painful heat (44 °C) or nonnoxious warmth (38 °C). Sip interval (s) and sip volume (g) were measured. Effects of pain on drinking topography were assessed using multilevel models. Multilevel models assessed associations of pain-related changes in topography with hypothesized vulnerability factors. Analyses indicated a significant interaction of pain condition and sex on sip interval (b = -.16.96, p = .015, 95% CI [-30.75, -2.97]), such that painful heat significantly decreased sip interval in men (b = 16.38) but not women (b = -.45). No effect of pain on sip volume was detected (p > .49). Exploratory analyses indicated significant interactions such that the effect of the painful heat condition was stronger in individuals with higher levels of greater negative urgency but the opposite effect for pain catastrophizing. Results suggest acute pain has sex-contingent effects on drinking topography, such that men drank more rapidly while experiencing painful heat. Furthermore, analyses indicated that individuals with greater negative urgency, regardless of sex, may be at elevated risk for hazardous alcohol use when experiencing pain. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Nutrition cues on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage containers sold in grocery stores in Québec City, Canada

Nutrition cues on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages (RTDs) may create an illusion of healthfulness; however, nutrition information on alcohol in Canada is seldom regulated. This research aimed to systematically record the use of nutrition cues on a subsample of RTDs sold in grocery stores. In July 2021, all available RTDs were purchased from three major grocery store banners in Québec City, Canada. Data regarding container size, purchase format, alcohol-by-volume (ABV), presence of nutrition cues (nutrient claims, other food-related claims and nutrition facts tables [NFTs]) and container surface occupied by nutrition cues were recorded. RTDs were classified as hard seltzers or pre-mixed cocktails and their ABV as “light-strength” (3.5%–4.0% ABV) and “regular-strength” (>4.0%–7.0% ABV). In total (n = 193), 23% were hard seltzers and 17% light-strength. Most RTDs (68%) had ≥1 type of nutrition cue, most often natural flavour claims (45%), an NFT (38%), and calorie claims (29%). Light-strength beverages were more likely than regular-strength to carry any nutrient claim (97% vs. 19%, p < 0.0001), an NFT (97% vs. 26%, p < 0.0001) and other food-related claims (e.g., natural flavour) (88% vs. 52%, p = 0.0002). In adjusted regression analyses, hard seltzers were more likely than pre-mixed cocktails to carry any nutrient claim (AOR = 19.1, 95% CI:7.5,48.7), any other food-related claim (AOR = 7.5, 95% CI:2.9,19.4), and an NFT (AOR = 45.5, 95% CI:12.6,163.9). The mean container surface occupied by nutrition cues was higher for hard seltzers compared to pre-mixed cocktails (13% vs 3%, p < 0.0001). The high proportion of RTDs carrying nutrition cues supports the need to further regulate labelling and marketing of RTDs.

The effects of oral and vaporized cannabis alone, and in combination with alcohol, on driving performance using the STISIM driving simulator: A two-part, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover clinical laboratory protocol.

The legalization of cannabis for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes, and the corresponding increase in diversity of cannabis products, has resulted an urgent need for cannabis regulatory science. Among the most pressing needs is research related to impairment due to cannabis exposure, especially on driving performance. The present project was designed to evaluate the impact of oral and vaporized cannabis, when administered alone or in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving performance (STISIM driving simulator), cognitive/psychomotor ability, and field sobriety performance. Healthy adults will complete two, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover clinical laboratory studies, one with oral cannabis (16 men/16 women) and the second with vaporized cannabis (16 men/16 women). In each study, participants will complete seven experimental sessions during which acute doses of placebo or high Δ9-THC cannabis containing 0, 10, or 25 mg Δ9-THC will be administered both alone and in combination with placebo or alcohol-containing beverages (target breath alcohol concentrations, BAC, of 0.0% or 0.05%). A positive control session (i.e., alcohol at target BAC of 0.08% with placebo cannabis) will also be completed. Simulated driving performance tests (available for download; see Methods), field sobriety assessments, subjective drug effect questionnaires, a mobile device impairment test (DRUID app), and collection of whole blood specimens will be completed repeatedly during each session. Linear mixed models will be used to test for differences across experimental conditions and a priori planned comparisons will be used to determine differences between conditions of interest (e.g., cannabis alone vs cannabis with alcohol). This research is designed to extend prior studies of cannabis and alcohol on driving performance by using oral and vaporized routes of cannabis administration. By increasing understanding of impairment associated with co-use of alcohol and these novel forms of cannabis, this research could inform impairment detection standards for cannabis and alcohol and have important implications for law enforcement, public policy decisions regarding accessibility of these substances, and education of the general population who may use cannabis and/or alcohol. Lastly, this manuscript provides interested researchers with access to the simulated driving scenarios and data extraction tools developed for this study as a means of facilitating future cross-study comparisons, which is important given the heterogeneity in methods used across laboratories in prior research.

Utilizing Deep Learning to Enhance Optical Sensing of Ethanol Content Based on Luminescent Carbon Dots

Optical sensing methods have shown their potential in measuring environmental properties such as temperatures and sample concentrations, increasing the convenience and speed of such measurements. Carbon dots (CDs) are readily available, easy-to-synthesize, and non-toxic luminescent colloidal nanoparticles that have gained prominence as optical probes in recent years. A disadvantage of CDs used for optical sensing is their broad emission profile, leading to unspecific sensing and a potential overlap of their luminescence with the autofluorescence of the samples. Machine learning approaches can address these shortcomings and greatly enhance sensing accuracy. In this study, CDs were employed as optical probes, while machine learning methods were applied to optimize ethanol content determination in ethanol/water mixtures as well as in alcohol-containing beverages. A simple neural network was used to understand the importance of different optical parameters on sensing, while a modular deep learning model was developed for increased generalizability towards samples with strong autofluorescence. Drawing from multiple input channels, the deep learning model was able to predict ethanol concentrations with a mean absolute error of 0.4 vol % in pure solvents and 6.7 vol % in beverages (beers, wines, and spirits). While CDs are excellent candidates to demonstrate deep learning for optical sensing, the methods discussed in this work are promising for improving chemical sensing using various luminescent materials.

Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Neuroprotective Effect of a Yeast-Enriched Beer

Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage worldwide. It is rich in nutrients, and with its microbial component it could play a role in gut microbiota modulation. Conflicting data are currently available regarding the consequences of alcohol and alcohol-containing beverages on dementia and age-associated disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegeneration characterized by protein aggregation, inflammatory processes and alterations of components of the gut–brain axis. The effects of an unfiltered and unpasteurized craft beer on AD molecular hallmarks, levels of gut hormones and composition of micro/mycobiota were dissected using 3xTg-AD mice. In addition, to better assess the role of yeasts, beer was enriched with the same Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain used for brewing. The treatment with the yeast-enriched beer ameliorated cognition and favored the reduction of Aβ(1-42) and pro-inflammatory molecules, also contributing to an increase in the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines. A significant improvement in the richness and presence of beneficial taxa in the gut bacterial population of the 3xTg-AD animals was observed. In addition, the fungal order, Sordariomycetes, associated with gut inflammatory conditions, noticeably decreased with beer treatments. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the beneficial effects of a yeast-enriched beer on AD signs, suggesting gut microbiota modulation as a mechanism of action.

Aversive Self-Focus and Alcohol Consumption Behavior in Women with Sexual Identity-Uncertainty: Changes in Salivary Cortisol Stress Response Among Those who Drink-to-Cope

Background Individuals who report sexual identity-uncertainty are at-risk for heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder symptomology. The current study examined the impact of states of aversive self-focus on subsequent consumption of ostensibly alcohol-containing beverages among a sample of women in early adulthood with varying levels of sexual identity-uncertainty (N = 75). Methods Utilizing a 2 (self-focus: negative vs. neutral) × 2 (attribution for any psychological discomfort: external vs. none given) between-subjects design with 3 within-person assessments of salivary cortisol, both a moderation model and mixed-effects general linear model were tested. Results States of aversive self-focus caused increases in overall consumption among women higher in sexual identity-uncertainty. Findings suggested consumption of ostensibly alcohol-containing beverages was more likely among women higher in sexual identity-uncertainty who also reported consuming beverages to cope with distress. Among women who reported higher levels of sexual identity-uncertainty and drinking-to-cope motives, salivary cortisol concentrations dampened more quickly over time, as they supposedly consumed alcohol. Conclusion Findings demonstrate that, among women reporting sexual identity-uncertainty who are motivated to consume alcohol to forget about troubles or worries, situations which evoke states of aversive self-focus may contribute to differences in alcohol consumption in early adulthood.

'Alcohol causes cancer': a difficult message for Australians to swallow.

Alcohol is a modifiable risk factor for cancer. Public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer risk is poor; thus, alcohol consumers may be unknowingly putting themselves at increased risk of cancer. One way to raise awareness of alcohol-related cancer is through placing labels warning of cancer risk on alcoholic beverage containers; however, little is known about the impact of such labels. We conducted seven focus groups, comprising participants who self-identified as low-to-moderate alcohol consumers, to gauge public attitudes towards the labels and messages relating to alcohol-related cancer risk. Transcripts of discussions were coded to identify emergent themes. Participants expressed a negative response to the alcohol warning labels, and their talk worked to challenge the legitimacy of alcohol-related cancer messages, and the entities responsible for disseminating the information. These responses functioned to counter any implied recommendation for reduction in speakers' alcohol consumption. These findings illustrate how the general population make sense of information about health risks, using this knowledge to make decisions about personal behaviour. In combination with other public health initiatives, alcohol-warning labels have the potential to increase awareness of cancer risk and help in the fight against cancer, but any messaging will need to account for probable consumer resistance.

“VešKajPiješ?” (You know what you drink?) - mobile app for reducing alcohol related harm in Slovenia

Abstract Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, provides that the labelling of ingredients and nutritional declaration is not mandatory for alcoholic beverages with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume. Consequently, consumers generally do not have access to similar information on alcoholic beverages as they do for food and non-alcoholic beverages. In Slovenia, drinking alcohol is a serious public health problem, both among adolescents and adults. Per capita consumption of pure alcohol in Slovenia is above the EU average. In order to achieve better results and reduce alcohol related harm, we need a comprehensive alcohol policy that incorporates proven effective measures in different areas of action. In 2019, in the frame of Slovenian programme “VesKajJes” (Know what you eat) supported by MoH, a mobile application was developed that enables consumers to scan EAN code for gaining the nutrition profile of selected food item. An analysis of the behaviour of mobile app users revealed that alcoholic beverages are one of the most frequently sought products; of all searches, as many as 36% of users wanted to get information about alcohol beverages. This was a major reason for upgrading the mobile application with information about alcoholic beverages. Additionally this newly developed communication channel will be used for raising awareness about alcohol-related harm. Mobile application “VešKajPiješ?” (You know what you drink?) will be developed within which we will: (1) collect information on at least 1,500 alcoholic beverages; (2) develop the protocol for a reliable assessment of the energy values depending of the type of alcoholic beverages; (3) prepare short health messages to raise awareness about the effects of hazardous and harmful alcohol use; (4) develop an application upgrade to show the alcohol content, energy value of alcoholic beverages, health messages and a link to a screening tool for assessing the alcohol consumption (AUDIT). Key messages There is a growing support for mandatory labelling of alcohol-containing beverages including health warnings. The program presents a solution consisting of a mobile app for consumers seeking information.

Effects of the Non-Alcoholic Fraction of Beer on Abdominal Fat, Osteoporosis, and Body Hydration in Women

Several studies have shown that binge drinking of alcoholic beverages leads to non-desirable outcomes, which have become a serious threat to public health. However, the bioactive compounds in some alcohol-containing beverages might mitigate the negative effects of alcohol. In beer, the variety and concentration of bioactive compounds in the non-alcoholic fraction suggests that its consumption at moderate levels may not only be harmless but could also positively contribute to an improvement of certain physiological states and be also useful in the prevention of different chronic diseases. The present review focuses on the effects of non-alcoholic components of beer on abdominal fat, osteoporosis, and body hydration in women, conditions selected for their relevance to health and aging. Although beer drinking is commonly believed to cause abdominal fat deposition, the available literature indicates this outcome is inconsistent in women. Additionally, the non-alcoholic beer fraction might improve bone health in postmenopausal women, and the effects of beer on body hydration, although still unconfirmed seem promising. Most of the health benefits of beer are due to its bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, which are the most studied. As alcohol-free beer also contains these compounds, it may well offer a healthy alternative to beer consumers.

Effectiveness of Warning Labels at Increasing Awareness of Alcohol-Related Cancer Risk Among Heavy Drinkers

Background: Although alcoholic beverages were classed as a Group 1 carcinogen over a quarter of a century ago, there is a lack of public awareness of this cancer risk relative to other alcohol-related risks. Increasing drinkers’ awareness of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption has therefore been identified as an important component of alcohol harm minimization strategies, with mandatory health warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers considered an important component of such strategies. Aim: To assess the overall effectiveness of a warning statement advising of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption and effectiveness relative to statements advising of other health risks. Methods: An online survey was administered to 364 Australians (72% male) who reported drinking at levels associated with long-term risk of harm. Respondents were randomly exposed to one of five statements relating to the risks associated with alcohol consumption (cancer, liver damage, diabetes, mental illness, heart disease). Pre and post measures of risk beliefs and drinking intentions were taken. Results: Exposure to a warning statement advising of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption resulted in (i) a significant increase in the extent to which respondents exposed to that statement believed alcohol to be a risk factor for cancer and (ii) a significant reduction in consumption intentions. Exposure to the cancer risk statement was associated with the second largest pre to post change in consumption intentions behind the diabetes risk statement. Conclusion: Warning statements informing drinkers of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption can produce (i) increases in the awareness of alcohol-related cancer risk and (ii) favorable changes in drinking intentions.

Effect of Lycosome-Formulated Phosphatidylcholine on Parameters of Biological Oxidation after Single Intake of Moderate Amount of Alcohol.

Ingestion of a single dose of alcohol, ranging from the intake of a moderate amount alcohol to binge drinking, is the most frequent form of alcohol consumption with poorly understood medical consequences and obscure prophylactics. The study was aimed to determine whether lycosome formulated phosphatidylcholine (PC-Lyc) containing two highly bioavailable antioxidants (PC and lycopene) ingested shortly before the alcohol-containing beverage may alleviate the biochemical markers of liver damage and parameters of biological oxidation associated with the intake of a moderate amount of alcohol. Healthy middle-aged volunteers were requested to consume a moderate amount of alcohol – 0.5 ml/kg or 1.0 ml/kg shortly after ingestion of a capsule containing 450 mg of regular phosphatidylcholine (PC, n=10), PC-Lyc (n=10), or placebo pill (PP, n=10). Serum levels of ethanol (EtOH), acetaldehyde (AA), liver-specific enzymes, total antioxidant capacity of serum (TAC), oxidized LDL (LDL-Px), and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) were measured at 1, 2.5, and 5 hours after dosing with alcohol. Ingestion of PC regardless of the formulation used had no effect on serum EtOH concentration dynamics. However, volunteers supplemented with PC-Lyc showed a better clearance of AA in serum as compared to other groups. There was a reduction in serum TAC values by 18.5% and 16.1% in both placebo groups ingesting 0.5 and 1.0 ml/kg of alcohol, respectively, at the end of observational period. This decline was preventable by supplementation of volunteers with PC and especially with PC-Lyc. Moreover, PC-Lyc promoted a reduction of serum MDA and reversed an increase in serum LDL-Px. In addition, ingestion of alcohol at 1.0 ml/kg dose caused a transient increase in serum alanine-aminotransferase activity which was abolished by both formulations of PC. Therefore, combinatory lycosomal formulation of PC and lycopene may prevent some metabolic abnormalities associated with single intake of moderate amount of alcohol. This trial is registered with ACTRN12617001335381.

Highly deficient alcohol health warning labels in a high-income country with a voluntary system.

To examine the prevalence and design elements of the voluntary health warning labels and related industry initiatives on a purposive sample of alcoholic beverage containers sold in New Zealand (NZ), a country with no mandatory health warning labels. We selected a purposive (e.g. low-cost) sample of 59 local and imported beers, wines and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage containers available in NZ in 2016-2017. We documented the occurrence, content, size, appearance and position of messages concerning drinking during pregnancy, drink-driving, other health effects and industry-led initiatives that could relate to warnings; and collected data about alcohol content, standard drinks, ingredients and energy information. A majority (80%) of the alcoholic beverage containers had a pregnancy-related warning, 73% had industry-led initiatives (e.g. advising 'responsible' consumption) and 19% had drink-driving/heavy machinery warnings. Warning labels were small, with the average area of pregnancy-related and drink-driving/heavy machinery pictograms being 45 and 36 mm2 , respectively (i.e. pea-size). The average heights of pregnancy-related and drink-driving text were 1.6 and 2.2 mm, respectively. Pregnancy-related pictograms occupied between an average of 0.13% (wine) and 0.21% (ready-to-drink) of the available surface area of the alcoholic beverage container (i.e. less than 1/400th of the available space). Drink-driving pictograms occupied an average of 0.12% (imported beer), and 0.13% (NZ beer) of the available surface area. Voluntary recommendations in NZ appear to have been inadequate for producing health warnings on alcoholic beverage containers that are consistent with evidence-informed recommendations for effective labels. This finding suggests that mandatory standardised labelling outlining alcohol-related risks may be required to ensure adequate consumer information.

Longitudinal study of alcohol consumption and HDL concentrations: a community-based study

Background: In cross-sectional studies and short-term clinical trials, it has been suggested that there is a positive dose-response relation between alcohol consumption and HDL concentrations. However, prospective data have been limited.Objective: We sought to determine the association between total alcohol intake, the type of alcohol-containing beverage, and the 6-y (2006–2012) longitudinal change in HDL-cholesterol concentrations in a community-based cohort.Design: A total of 71,379 Chinese adults (mean age: 50 y) who were free of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and did not use cholesterol-lowering agents during follow-up were included in the study. Alcohol intake was assessed via a questionnaire in 2006 (baseline), and participants were classified into the following categories of alcohol consumption: never, past, light (women: 0–0.4 servings/d; men: 0–0.9 servings/d), moderate (women: 0.5–1.0 servings/d; men: 1–2 servings/d), and heavy (women: >1.0 servings/d; men: >2 servings/d). HDL-cholesterol concentrations were measured in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. We used generalized estimating equation models to examine the associations between baseline alcohol intake and the change in HDL-cholesterol concentrations with adjustment for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, liver function, and C-reactive protein concentrations.Results: An umbrella-shaped association was observed between total alcohol consumption and changes in HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Compared with never drinkers, past, light, moderate, and heavy drinkers experienced slower decreases in HDL cholesterol of 0.012 mmol · L−1 · y−1 (95% CI: 0.008, 0.016 mmol · L−1 · y−1), 0.013 mmol · L−1 · y−1 (95% CI: 0.010, 0.016 mmol · L−1 · y−1), 0.017 mmol · L−1 · y−1 (95% CI: 0.009, 0.025 mmol · L−1 · y−1), and 0.008 mmol · L−1 · y−1 (95% CI: 0.005, 0.011 mmol · L−1 · y−1), respectively (P < 0.0001 for all), after adjustment for potential confounders. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with the slowest increase in total-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratios. We observed a similar association between hard-liquor consumption and the HDL-cholesterol change. In contrast, greater beer consumption was associated with slower HDL-cholesterol decreases in a dose-response manner.Conclusion: Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with slower HDL-cholesterol decreases; however, the type of alcoholic beverage had differential effects on the change in the HDL-cholesterol concentration.

Underage alcohol-purchasing strategies and alcohol availability through self-checkout lanes in supermarkets

ABSTRACTBackground: To prevent alcohol availability through retail, legal age limits forbid the sale of alcohol to minors in many countries. This study tested the effects of minors’ alcohol-purchasing strategies and knowledge of compliance with age-limit legislation on the availability of alcohol through retail in the Netherlands. Methods: Making use of exploratory, field-experimental design, eight 17-year-old minors participated as mystery shoppers over the period of one weekend. The mystery shoppers were allowed to use their own strategies to buy alcohol. The experiences of the first group were shared with the second group. Results: Out of the 134 times, the shoppers entered an outlet to buy alcohol, and 119 attempts were successful (11.2% compliance). A total quantity of 225.78 US gallons of alcohol-containing beverages was bought. The first group bought 53.93 L on their final day, and the second group bought 53.92 L on their first day, making use of the strategies of the first group. Conclusions: Current self-checkout lanes in supermarkets produce extreme alcohol availability and are even less effective than traditional checkout lanes: Policies for age verification fail. This first small-scale study shows that underage mystery shoppers learn quickly and are able to buy more alcohol with each subsequent visit.

Express analysis of hard alcohol drinks using the “electronic nose” piezosensors arra

A new way of express analysis of alcohol-containing liquids with the possibility of identification of fusel oil set components using chemical gas sensors has been developed. The sorption of the volatile organic components of the basic alcohol-containing liquids’ volatile fraction has been studied. The optimum set of piezosensors was chosen, and most importantly, it was adapted to the basic test substances (propanone, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, ethanol, butanone, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, water). The possibility of applying an express method of piezoelectric quartz crystal micro-weighing for the identification of gross falsification of alcohol-containing beverages with the high ethanol content was positively evaluated. Several methodical approaches were offered to identify the individual vapor components in the mixture of fusel oils. The sample analysis of the alcohol-containing liquids was done simultaneously by the method of gas chromatography. The correlation between the area of the “visual print” signals, the optimized composition of chemical sensors and the parameters of gas chromatography was established. The newly developed method significantly reduces the time and the economic costs allowing you to quickly identify volatile organic substances in alcoholic beverages, and it is also helpful and suitable for the routine analysis. Keywords: the component of fusel oil, alcohol-containing liquids, quality, electronic nose, chemical sensors DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2017.21.3.003 T.A. Kuchmenko, E.V. Bodrenko, E.P. Anokhina Voronezh state university of engineering technologies, pr. Revoliutsii, 19, Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation

Psychotropic drug use and alcohol consumption among older adults in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008-2011.

ObjectivesThe use and combined use of psychotropic drugs and alcohol among older adults is a growing public health concern and should be constantly monitored. Relevant studies are scarce in Germany. Using data of the most recent national health survey, we analyse prevalence and correlates of psychotropic drug and alcohol use among this population.MethodsStudy participants were people aged 60–79 years (N=2508) of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008–2011. Medicines used during the last 7 days were documented. Psychotropic drugs were defined as medicines acting on the nervous system (ATC code N00) excluding anaesthetics (N01), analgesics/antipyretics (N02B), but including opiate codeines used as antitussives (R05D). Alcohol consumption in the preceding 12 months was measured by frequency (drinking any alcohol-containing beverages at least once a week/a day) and quantity (alcohol consumed in grams/day; cut-offs: 10/20 g/day for women/men defining moderate and risky drinking). SPSS complex sample module was used for analysis.Results21.4% of study participants use psychotropic medications, 66.9% consume alcohol moderately and 17.0% riskily, 51.0% drink alcohol at least once a week and 18.4% daily, 2.8% use psychotropic drugs combined with daily alcohol drinking. Among psychotropic drug users, 62.7% consume alcohol moderately, 14.2% riskily. The most frequently used psychotropic medications are antidepressants (7.9%) and antidementia (4.2%). Factors associated with a higher rate of psychotropic drug use are female sex, worse health status, certified disability and polypharmacy. Risky alcohol consumption is positively associated with male sex, smoking, upper social class, better health status, having no disability and not living alone.ConclusionsDespite the high risk of synergetic effects of psychotropic drugs and alcohol, a substantial part of older psychotropic drug users consume alcohol riskily and daily. Health professionals should talk about the additional health risks of alcohol consumption when prescribing psychotropic drugs to older adults.

Acquisition of Conditioned Responses to a Novel Alcohol-Paired Cue in Social Drinkers.

This study examined the acquisition of conditioning between novel stimuli and single doses of alcohol in social drinkers. Environmental stimuli present during the consumption of alcohol or other drugs come to elicit conditioned responses that subsequently increase drug seeking. However, relatively few studies have examined the process of acquisition of these conditioned drug responses in human subjects. We used a procedure previously developed to study acquisition of conditioned responses to a methamphetamine-associated cue. In the present study we applied the paradigm to alcohol, pairing de novo neutral cues with alcohol in social drinkers (N = 36). We obtained measures of self-report, behavioral preference, emotional reactivity (assessed using facial electromyography), and attention to specific cues paired with administration of 0.6 g/kg 95% absolute alcohol or placebo. After conditioning, participants showed an increase in attention toward the alcohol-paired cue, and this increase was associated with ratings of liking the alcohol-containing beverage during the conditioning sessions. In contrast to our previous findings with methamphetamine, the alcohol-paired cue did not elicit changes in emotional reactivity (measured by facial electromyography) or behavioral preference. This study extends our previous findings with a stimulant drug to alcohol and highlights possible similarities and differences in conditioning with different classes of drugs. Conditioning with alcohol was less robust than with methamphetamine, but in both cases the conditioning that did occur was related to positive subjective drug response.