Study: Infrequent Binge Drinking Leads to Greater Abdominal Fat

People who drink alcoholic beverages infrequently but heavily have more abdominal fat than those who consume the same amount but drink regularly, according to a study reported in the August issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

The University of Buffalo study involved 2,343 men and women between the ages of 35 and 79. The researchers measured the participants' blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and abdomen and collected data about recent alcohol consumption habits.

Participants who drank sporadically, but who had more than three to four drinks per drinking occasion, had the highest abdominal fat measures.

Wine drinkers showed the lowest abdominal fat, while liquor drinkers had the highest, according to researchers, who noted that high abdominal fat has been linked to heart disease.

"The primary message is that binge drinking is an unhealthy way of consuming alcohol," said study author Joan Dorn, associate professor of social and preventative medicine at the university. "These results do not suggest that persons with abdominal fat should start drinking."

Other sources: University of Buffalo