This study was conducted to examine the effect of consuming a dilute alcohol solution (weak beer) on urine production in euhydrated and hypohydrated individuals.
No difference existed in the volume of urine produced between the alcohol (261 ± 138 ml; mean ± SD) and non-alcohol (174 ± 61 ml) beer when hypohydrated (P = 0.057), but there was a difference when euhydrated (1279 ± 256 vs 1121 ± 148 ml alcohol and non-alcohol, respectively; P < 0.001).
Unsurprisingly, more urine was produced on both euhydrated trials than either of the hypohydrated trials (P < 0.001).
Blood alcohol concentration was elevated (P <> 1.8 and 6.0 ± 2.7 mmol/l (hypohydrated and euhydrated, respectively) on the alcohol trials. Serum osmolality was higher 1 h after drinking on both the alcohol trials (303 ± 5 and 298 ± 5 mosmol/l) than on their non-alcohol, equivalent hydration trials (290 ± 8 and 284 ± 5 mosmol/l hypohydrated and euhydrated, respectively..
These results suggest that the diuretic action of alcohol is blunted when the body is hypohydrated.
Request Reprint E-Mail: R.J.Maughan@lboro.ac.uk
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