which ones have better health?

Alcohol represents the 2nd preventable cause of cancer mortality after tobacco in France. But not all drinkers are in the same boat.

And some accumulate risky behaviors. This is the surprising conclusion drawn by researchers from Tulane University in New Orleans, whose work has just been presented at the Liver Meeting in San Diego.

What does their work say? The authors tracked the drinking habits of 1,900 of their compatriots. Result: exclusive beer consumers have a less favorable health profile than wine lovers.

Thus, beer drinkers are distinguished by:

• consumption of less healthy foods;
• higher daily calorie intake;
• reduced physical activity;
• a greater propensity to smoke.

Dr. Madeline Novack, lead author of the study, suggests that these differences could be explained by the context of consumption. Beer is often associated with foods high in carbohydrates and low in fiber. Often salty and fried foods that encourage you to drink more. While wine generally accompanies more balanced meals.

The typical consumer profile is also different: beer drinkers are most often young men, smokers, with modest incomes. Socio-demographic characteristics which can also influence food choices.