Researchers studied nearly 8,000 Korean adults to understand how their drinking habits connect to their eating choices. They found that people who drink alcohol regularly or in large amounts tend to eat fewer fresh fruits and more sugary foods and drinks compared to people who don’t drink. This pattern was especially strong in women. The study suggests that drinking alcohol might influence people to make less healthy food choices, which could affect their overall health. Understanding this connection could help doctors and nutritionists give better advice to people about both drinking and eating habits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the way people drink alcohol (how often and how much) is connected to the quality of food they eat
  • Who participated: 7,885 Korean adults between ages 30-64 (3,469 men and 4,416 women) who answered questions about their eating and drinking habits
  • Key finding: People who drink alcohol regularly or in large amounts eat fewer fresh fruits and more sugary foods and drinks. Women who drink frequently were 2.5 times more likely to have poor overall diet quality compared to women who don’t drink
  • What it means for you: If you drink alcohol, you might want to pay extra attention to eating more fresh fruits and limiting sugary foods and drinks. This is especially important for women. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that alcohol causes poor eating—other factors could be involved

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at information collected at one point in time from a large group of people. They used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2019-2021, which is like a national health checkup program. Participants answered detailed questions about how much alcohol they drink and how often, and they also reported everything they ate over a certain period. Researchers then sorted people into groups based on their drinking patterns: people who don’t drink, people who drink infrequently but in large amounts, people who drink moderately but more often, and people who drink heavily and frequently.

This approach is important because it looks at real-world patterns in a large, representative group of people rather than just a small sample. By examining actual eating and drinking habits together, researchers can spot connections that might help explain why some people have less healthy diets. The study used a special scoring system called the Korean Healthy Eating Index to measure diet quality fairly and consistently across all participants.

This study has good strengths: it included a large number of people (nearly 8,000), used a nationally representative sample so results likely apply to many Korean adults, and adjusted for other factors that might affect diet quality like age and income. However, because it’s a snapshot in time rather than following people over years, we can’t be completely sure that drinking causes poor eating—it could be that people with poor diets are more likely to drink, or that other factors influence both behaviors. The study also relied on people remembering what they ate and drank, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: people who drink alcohol in any pattern—whether infrequently in large amounts or frequently in any amount—had lower quality diets than people who don’t drink. Specifically, all drinking groups ate fewer fresh fruits and consumed more calories from sugary foods and sweet drinks. For women, the connection was even stronger. Women who drank frequently and heavily were about 2.5 times more likely to have the poorest diet quality compared to women who didn’t drink at all. Women who drank moderately but frequently were 1.65 times more likely to have poor diet quality, and women who drank infrequently but heavily were 1.61 times more likely. Men showed similar patterns, though the differences weren’t always as dramatic statistically.

Beyond the main findings, the study showed that the specific problem with alcohol drinkers’ diets was mainly about two things: not eating enough fresh fruits and eating too many sugary foods and sweet beverages. This suggests that alcohol consumption might be replacing healthier food choices rather than just adding extra calories. The study also found that the pattern was consistent across different age groups within the 30-64 year range, suggesting this isn’t just a problem for younger or older adults.

Previous research had suggested that drinking and diet quality might be connected, but this study added important details by looking at different drinking patterns separately. Earlier studies sometimes just compared drinkers to non-drinkers without looking at how much or how often people drank. This research shows that the frequency and amount both matter—it’s not just about whether someone drinks, but how they drink. The findings support what other research has suggested: that alcohol consumption is linked to less healthy eating patterns in multiple populations.

The study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it only shows a connection between drinking and diet quality, not that one causes the other. People with poor diets might be more likely to drink, or other factors could influence both. Second, the study relied on people remembering what they ate and drank, which can be inaccurate. Third, the study only included Korean adults, so results might not apply to other populations with different cultures and food systems. Finally, the study looked at all the data at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over years or if they change.

The Bottom Line

If you drink alcohol, consider making an extra effort to eat more fresh fruits and limit sugary foods and sweet drinks. This recommendation has moderate confidence based on this research. Women especially should be aware of this connection and may benefit from paying closer attention to their diet quality if they drink regularly. However, this study shows a connection, not definitive proof, so these are suggestions rather than strict rules. Anyone concerned about their diet or drinking should talk to a doctor or nutritionist.

This research is most relevant to Korean adults aged 30-64, particularly women who drink alcohol regularly. It’s also useful for healthcare providers and nutritionists working with people who drink. People who don’t drink don’t need to worry about this connection. The findings might also apply to people in other countries with similar cultures and food systems, but we can’t be certain without more research.

If you make changes to eat more fruits and fewer sugary foods, you might notice improvements in how you feel within a few weeks, though major health benefits typically take several months to become apparent. Diet quality improvements work best as long-term habits rather than quick fixes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fresh fruit servings (goal: 2+ servings) and sugary drink consumption (goal: limit to 1-2 per week). Note drinking occasions and what you ate that day to spot patterns between alcohol consumption and food choices
  • When you plan to drink alcohol, also plan a fruit-based snack or meal for that day. Set a reminder to eat fresh fruit at breakfast or as a snack on days you drink, and track both behaviors together to build awareness of the connection
  • Weekly review: compare your fruit intake and sugary drink consumption on drinking days versus non-drinking days. Track your overall diet quality score monthly and look for improvements as you increase fruit intake and reduce sugary beverages

This research shows a connection between drinking patterns and diet quality but does not prove that alcohol causes poor eating habits. Individual results vary based on many factors including genetics, overall lifestyle, and personal health conditions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have concerns about your diet or alcohol consumption, please consult with a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or nutritionist who can provide personalized guidance based on your individual health situation. People with certain health conditions, those taking medications, pregnant women, and those with a history of alcohol-related problems should speak with their doctor before making any changes to their drinking or eating habits.