Citation

Mullie P, Clarys P. Mil. Med. Res. 2015; 2: 33.

Affiliation

Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Laboratory for Human Biometrics and Biomechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinstraat 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium ; Erasmus University College, Laarbeeklaan 121, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s40779-015-0066-x

PMID

26673847

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A reduction in mortality associated with wine drinking compared to beer drinking has been suggested in the past. A recent meta-analysis could not confirm the observed differential effect. Other characteristics not related to specific components of beer and wine must play a role in the relationship between wine and mortality, thereby explaining the differential protective results.

METHODS: A military population was selected to investigate the lifestyle differences between beer and wine drinkers. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to register alcohol and food consumption, together with questionnaires for health-related and lifestyle characteristics. Three dietary patterns were characterized by the Healthy Eating Index 2010, the Mediterranean Diet Score and a pattern obtained by principal component analysis.

RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, beer consumption decreased with increasing age, military rank, physical activity and dietary pattern scores. Beer consumption increased with total energy intake and with smoking.

CONCLUSIONS: Wine consumption was associated with a healthier lifestyle compared with beer consumption. Those differences must be taken into account when relating types of alcoholic beverage consumption with health-related outcomes.

Language: en