Energy Expenditure

EE: Thermic Effect of Alcohol (2005)

• Assessment
  Do administration or changes in chemical use of alcohol have an acute effect on resting metabolic rate (RMR)?

  • Conclusion

    10/19/04

    Two small studies of moderate quality (one in healthy males and one in healthy females, ages 21 to 41 years) report individual RMR increases of 1.1 - 13.6% over 95 minutesa fter ingestion of alcohol in healthy men (Weststrate, Wunnick, et al, 1990) and mean RMR increases of 9.0% have been recorded 90-10 minutes post-ingestion in women (Klesges RC, Mealer CZ, et al, 1994).  In men, mean RMR increases of 4-6 % over 95 min or 124-287 kcal/24 hr, following 20-23 grams alcohol (140-251 kcals) consumption. These changes in RMR correspond with significant (P>0.05) decreases of 8-9% in respiratory quotient.  No data are available to indicate duration of the effect of alcohol on RMR

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What effect does alcohol consumption have on energy expenditure?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Klesges RC, Mealer CZ, Kleges LM. Effects of alcohol intake on resting energy expenditure in young women social drinkers. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:805-809.
      • Levine JA, Harris MM, Morgan MY. Energy expenditure in chronic alcohol abuse. Eur J Clin Invest 2000; 39: 779-786.
      • Weststrate JA, Wunnink I, Deurenberg P, Hautvast JGA. Alcohol and its acute effects on resting metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis. Br J Nutr. 1990; 64: 413-425.
  Do administration or changes in chemical use of alcohol have a chronic effect on resting metabolic rate (RMR)?

  • Conclusion

    10/19/04

    In one study of neutral quality rating, middle-aged alcoholics (mean age 42 y), the RMR was elevated (26%) due to chronic alcohol intake but decreased to levels similar to that of non-alcoholic controls within 14 days of abstention.  

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What effect does alcohol consumption have on energy expenditure?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Klesges RC, Mealer CZ, Kleges LM. Effects of alcohol intake on resting energy expenditure in young women social drinkers. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:805-809.
      • Levine JA, Harris MM, Morgan MY. Energy expenditure in chronic alcohol abuse. Eur J Clin Invest 2000; 39: 779-786.
      • Weststrate JA, Wunnink I, Deurenberg P, Hautvast JGA. Alcohol and its acute effects on resting metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis. Br J Nutr. 1990; 64: 413-425.
  Do administration or changes in chemical use of alcohol have an effect on resting metabolic rate (RMR) when alcohol is consumed with food?

  • Conclusion

    10/19/04

    No effect is consistently supported in diet-induced thermogenesis when alcohol is administered with food. 

  • Grade: II
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What effect does alcohol consumption have on energy expenditure?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Klesges RC, Mealer CZ, Kleges LM. Effects of alcohol intake on resting energy expenditure in young women social drinkers. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:805-809.
      • Levine JA, Harris MM, Morgan MY. Energy expenditure in chronic alcohol abuse. Eur J Clin Invest 2000; 39: 779-786.
      • Weststrate JA, Wunnink I, Deurenberg P, Hautvast JGA. Alcohol and its acute effects on resting metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis. Br J Nutr. 1990; 64: 413-425.