CVD risk related to excessive alcohol consumption mediated through ectopic fat distribution

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and while various risk factors have been identified, the relationship between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat distribution has been a relatively underexplored area of study. However, recent research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association as part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) found that heavy alcohol consumption and binge alcoholism were associated with higher ectopic fat.

In a cross-sectional analysis involving 6,756 MESA participants, researchers aimed to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and ectopic adiposity, a known factor in cardiovascular disease risk. The study categorized alcohol intake into several groups, including light drinking (<1 drink per day), moderate drinking (1 to 2 drinks per day), heavy drinking (>2 drinks per day), former drinking, and lifetime abstention. Additionally, binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more drinks on one occasion in the past month, was examined.

The findings revealed a complex relationship between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat. Specifically, heavy drinking, when compared to lifetime abstention, was associated with a significantly higher presence of pericardial fat (15.1% higher), hepatic fat (3.4% higher), visceral fat (2.5% higher), and intermuscular fat (5.2% higher). However, heavy drinking was linked to lower subcutaneous fat (-3.5%).

This relationship exhibited a J-shaped pattern, indicating that both heavy alcohol intake and binge drinking were associated with higher levels of ectopic fat. Notably, binge drinking, relative to light-to-moderate drinking, was also associated with elevated ectopic fat levels.

While moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with certain health benefits, including potential heart benefits, this study underscores the potential risks associated with heavy drinking and binge drinking, especially in relation to ectopic fat accumulation.

Ectopic fat deposition, particularly in the pericardial and hepatic areas, has been previously linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, these results suggest that individuals concerned about their heart health should be cautious about excessive alcohol consumption.

This study highlights the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association and its implications for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. 

Reference:

Kazibwe, R., Chevli, P. A., Evans, J. K., Allison, M., Michos, E. D., Wood, A. C., Ding, J., Shapiro, M. D., & Mongraw‐Chaffin, M. (2023). Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Ectopic Fat in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. In Journal of the American Heart Association (Vol. 12, Issue 18). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.123.030470