Ethanol and dietary fat are closely related at the behavioral level. Clinical evidence shows significantly elevated ethanol intake in subjects consuming fat (Kesse et al., 2001). Conversely, greater fat consumption is seen in ethanol drinkers compared to non-drinkers or in high-ethanol compared to low-ethanol drinkers (Gruchow et al., 1985; Herbeth et al., 1988; Le Marchand et al., 1989; Männistö et al., 1997; Swinburn et al., 1998). Additional studies reveal a co-morbidity of bingeing on fat-rich foods with high rates of alcoholism (Hasunen et al., 1977; Rotily et al., 1990), while carbohydrate intake is inversely related to ethanol consumption (Forsander, 1998; Gruchow et al., 1985). These reports suggest the existence of a positive relationship between ethanol and fat intake in human subjects.
