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Researchers, including co-lead author Professor Fredrik Karpe from the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, analysed data from the Oxford Biobank, using detailed body scans to measure fat distribution. Unlike previous studies that relied on indirect measures such as waist size, this study used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a more precise imaging technique.
People who drink more had higher levels of visceral fat
The researchers observed a clear pattern: as alcohol consumption increased, so did the proportion of visceral fat relative to total body fat.
People in the highest drinking group had more than 10% higher visceral fat levels compared with those drinking less, even after accounting for factors such as age, smoking, physical activity and overall body fat.
This relationship was seen in both men and women. Notably, the increase in visceral fat appeared most pronounced among heavier drinkers rather than across the full range of alcohol intake.
The study also found that standard measures like waist circumference did not reliably capture these differences, suggesting that alcohol-related changes in fat distribution may be missed in routine assessments.
'Our findings suggest that higher alcohol intake is linked to a shift in where fat is stored in the body, with a greater proportion accumulating around internal organs,' said Fredrik Karpe, Professor of Metabolic Medicine from RDM's Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism.
'This type of fat is more closely associated with metabolic disease, but it's important to stress that this study shows an association rather than cause and effect.'
Findings important for long-term health
Visceral fat is considered more harmful than fat stored elsewhere in the body because it surrounds internal organs and is linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The findings provide evidence that alcohol may influence not just how much fat people carry, but where that fat is stored - a factor that is increasingly recognised as important for long-term health.
However, the researchers are cautious about interpretation. The study shows an association, not cause and effect, and relies partly on self-reported alcohol intake. Other factors, such as diet or drinking patterns, were not fully captured.
The authors say further research is needed to understand whether alcohol directly causes changes in fat distribution, and how this might occur biologically.
Long-term studies and controlled experiments would be needed to determine whether reducing alcohol intake leads to measurable reductions in visceral fat.
The paper, Greater visceral fat mass accumulation with high alcohol consumption is published in the International Journal of Obesity.