NCHS Data Brfief - Calories Consumed From Alcoholic Beverages by U.S. Adults, 2007–2010

Key findings

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010

• The U.S. adult population consumes an average of almost 100 calories per day from alcoholic beverages.
• Men consume more calories from alcoholic beverages than women.
• Younger adults consume more calories from alcoholic beverages than older adults.
• Men consume more beer than other types of alcohol.
• Average calories consumed from alcoholic beverages do not differ by race and ethnicity.

Although the risks of excessive alcohol consumption in terms of injury (1) and chronic disease (2) are well known, less is known about the calories consumed from alcoholic beverages. As with calorically sweetened beverages, alcoholic beverages are a top contributor to caloric intake but provide few nutrients (2). Although calories consumed from calorically sweetened beverages have been previously examined (3), calories from alcoholic beverages have been neglected. This data brief examines the caloric contribution of alcoholic beverages among adults aged 20 and over during 2007–2010, using data from 24-hour dietary recall interviews.


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