NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Calories Consumed From Alcoholic Beverages by

U.S. Adults, 2007–2010

Samara Joy Nielsen, Ph.D., M.Div.; Brian K. Kit, M.D., M.P.H.; Tala Fakhouri, Ph.D., M.P.H.; 

and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P.

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.

Keywords: beer • wine • liquor • National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey

What percentage of adults consumes calories from alcoholic 

beverages?

On a given day, one-third of men and 18% of women consume calories from 

alcoholic beverages (Figure 1). Although 67% of men and 82% of women 

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. 

No calories

Figure 1. Percentage of adults aged 20 and over who consume alcoholic beverages on a given 

day, by sex and calories consumed: United States, 2007–2010 Percent

9

Men

NOTE: One beer is approximately 150 calories, one glass of wine is approximately 120 calories, and 1.5 ounces of liquor is 

approximately 100 calories.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

<150 calories

150–300 calories

>300 calories

Women 0

20

40

60

80

100

67.3

82.1

5.8

7.9

19.0

32.7

18.0

5.7

6.3

6.0
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

■  2  ■

do not consume any alcoholic beverages on a given day, almost 20% of men and 6% of women 

consume more than 300 calories from alcoholic beverages, which is equivalent to 2 or more 

12-ounce (oz) beers, more than 21⁄2 glasses of wine (12.5 oz), or more than 4.5 oz of spirits (4). 

Are there differences by sex and age in mean calories consumed from 

alcoholic beverages? 

The adult population consumes almost 100 calories per day on average from alcoholic beverages 

(Figure 2). Men consume more calories from alcoholic beverages than women; on average, 

men consume 150 calories while women consume a little over 50 calories. Men and women in 

older age groups consume fewer calories from alcoholic beverages. Young men, aged 20–39, 

consume almost 175 calories on average from alcoholic beverages, while older men, aged 60 and 

over, consume 96 calories. Similarly, women in age groups 20–39 and 40–59 consume about 60 

alcohol calories on average, while older women consume about one-half of that amount—

33 calories. On a given day, consumers of alcoholic beverages obtain approximately 16% of their 

total caloric intake from alcoholic beverages (not shown).

Total

Figure 2. Mean kilocalories from alcoholic beverages per day among adults aged 20 and over, by sex and age: 

United States, 2007–2010 Kilocalories

99

150

1

174

157

96

2

53

1,261 2

60

2

33

1 Significant linear trend by age, p < 0.05. 2 Significantly different from males, p < 0.05.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Men Women

Total

0

40

80

120

160

200 All 20–39 40–59 60 and over
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

■  3  ■

Do the mean calories consumed from alcoholic beverages differ by race 

and ethnicity?

No significant differences were observed in average calories per day from alcoholic beverages

consumed by non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic persons. Non-Hispanic white 

persons consume an average 105 calories from alcoholic beverages, while non-Hispanic black 

persons consume 100 calories and Hispanic persons consume 91 calories from alcoholic beverages 

(Figure 3).

All

Figure 3. Mean kilocalories from alcoholic beverages per day among adults aged 20 and over, by sex and race and 

ethnicity: United States, 2007–2010 Kilocalories

105 100

91

157

168

138

57

45 42

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Men Women

Non-Hispanic white

0

40

80

120

160

200 Non-Hispanic black Hispanic
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

■  4  ■

Are there differences by poverty level in mean calories consumed from 

alcoholic beverages?

Average calories from alcoholic beverages are greatest among those in the highest income category. 

On average, 117 calories per day are consumed from alcoholic beverages by those living at or 

above 350% of the poverty level, higher than the average of just over 90 calories from alcoholic 

beverages among those living below 130% of the poverty level. Women living at or above 350% of 

the poverty level consumed an average 75 calories from alcoholic beverages on a given day, while 

those living below 130% consumed just over 40 calories. Among men, no differences by income 

were found in average calories consumed from alcoholic beverages (Figure 4). 

All

Figure 4. Mean kilocalories from alcoholic beverages per day among adults aged 20 and over, by sex and poverty level: 

United States, 2007–2010 Kilocalories

91 86

1,2117

158

139

158

42 37

1,275

1 Significantly different than <130% of federal poverty level, p < 0.05. 2 Significantly different than 130%–350% of federal poverty level, p < 0.05.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Men Women

<130%

0

40

80

120

160

200 Poverty level 130%–349%
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

■  5  ■

What types of alcoholic beverages are contributing the calories that adults 

consume?

A larger percentage of men than women consume beer; however, a larger percentage of women 

consume wine on a given day. Almost 20% of men and 5% of women consume beer, while 4% 

of men and 7% of women consume wine on a given day (not shown). On average, men consume 

more alcoholic beverage calories per day from beer (103 calories) than from liquor (34 calories) 

and wine (12 calories). Among women, average calories from beer (18 calories) are equivalent to 

average calories from liquor (18 calories) and wine (17 calories). In both men and women, average 

calories from beer decrease with age. Younger men consume on average 128 calories from beer, 

compared with older men, who consume 48 calories. Similarly, younger women consume on 

average 24 calories from beer, compared with older women, who consume 6 calories (Figure 5).

All

Figure 5. Mean kilocalories from alcoholic beverages per day among adults aged 20 and over, by sex, age, and type of 

alcohol: United States, 2007–2010 Kilocalories

103

1

128 111

48

2

6

2

18 1,224 2

202

19

40–59

1 Significant linear trend by age, p < 0.05. 2 Significantly different from men.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Age (years)

Beer

Liquor

Wine

Men

0

40

80

120

160

200

20–39 40–59 60 and All

over

20–39 60 and

over

Women

34

12

39 34

13

28

20 1

7

2

18

2

17

1,222

2

14

2

20

2

19 2

9

Summary

On a given day, almost one-third of men and 18% of women aged 20 and over consume alcoholic 

beverages. On average, men aged 20–39 consume the greatest number of calories—174 per day—

from alcoholic beverages compared with other groups. This is greater than the 150 calories in one 

12-oz can of soda. 

On a given day, consumers of alcoholic beverages obtain approximately 16% of their total 

caloric intake from alcoholic beverages. This represents the same contribution to overall calories 

as the 16% from added sugars among U.S. children (5). According to the Dietary Guidelines 

for Americans 2010, for most people, no more than 5%–15% of calories should be from solid 

fats and added sugars at any calorie intake level (2). Because alcohol is considered part of 

discretionary solid fats and added sugars, the percentage of total calories from alcohol alone is 

above the recommended 5%–15% (2). 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

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Beer is the biggest contributor to alcoholic beverage calories among men—103 of the 150 mean 

calories per day. This represents approximately one beer or one drink. The Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans 2010 states that if alcohol is consumed, it should be consumed in moderation: one drink 

per day for women and two drinks per day for men (2). On average across the total population, men 

and women fall within these guidelines. However, 19% of men consume more than 300 calories 

from alcoholic beverages on a given day, exceeding two drinks. Among women, 12% consume 

more than 150 calories from alcoholic beverages on a given day, exceeding one drink.

Definitions

Calorie, kilocalorie: A calorie is a measure of the energy produced as foods or beverages are 

burned for energy in the body. The term calorie is usually used when discussing energy from 

foods and diets, but the unit of measure is actually a kilocalorie (6).

Alcoholic beverage: Includes beer, wine, liquor, and mixed drinks (cocktails). 

Alcoholic beverage calories: Calories consumed from any alcoholic beverage reported from inperson 24-hour dietary recall interviews.

Consumers of alcoholic beverages: Any adult aged 20 or over who reported consuming more than 

zero calories from an alcoholic beverage (see definition) on a given day, specifically the 24-hour

period prior to the dietary recall interview (midnight to midnight). 

One drink: The equivalent of 12 oz of beer (approximately 150 calories), or 5 oz of wine 

(approximately 120 calories), or 1.5 oz of liquor (approximately 100 calories) (2,4). 

Percent of federal poverty level: An index based on the ratio of family income to poverty. The 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ poverty guidelines were used as the poverty 

measure to calculate this index (7). These guidelines are issued each year in the Federal Register 

for determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs such as Head Start; Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program); Special 

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC; and the National 

School Lunch Program.

Data source and methods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 2007–2010 were used 

for these analyses. NHANES is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 

National Center for Health Statistics to assess the health and nutritional status of the civilian 

noninstitutionalized U.S. population. The survey combines an in-home interview and a 

standardized physical examination at a mobile examination center (MEC). The data for this report 

were collected via an in-person 24-hour dietary recall interview in the MEC. Dietary recalls cover 

intake during the day (24 hours) prior to the standardized physical examination at the MEC (8). 

The sample design includes oversampling to obtain reliable estimates of health and nutritional 

measures for population subgroups. For 2007–2010, the Hispanic population was oversampled. 

Data were analyzed using sample weights to account for differential probabilities of selection, 

nonresponse, and noncoverage. The standard errors of the percentages were estimated using 

Taylor series linearization, a method that incorporates the sample weights and sample design.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

■  7  ■

Differences between groups were evaluated using a t statistic at the p < 0.05 significance

level. Tests for linear trends by age and income were set at the p < 0.05 significance level. All

differences reported are statistically significant unless otherwise indicated. Statistical analyses

were conducted using SAS version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C.) and SUDAAN version 

10.0 (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C.).

About the authors

Samara Joy Nielsen, Brian K. Kit, and Cynthia L. Ogden are with the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Health and 

Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Tala H.I. Fakhouri is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Surveillance,

Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, and the Analysis Branch, Division of Health and 

Nutrition Examination Surveys, NCHS, CDC, Atlanta, GA. 

References

1. Alcohol-related disease impact (ARDI) software. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention. 2008. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/ardi.htm.

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary 

Guidelines for Americans 2010. 7th ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 2010.

3. Ogden CL, Kit BK, Carroll MD, Park S. Consumption of sugar drinks in the United States, 

2005–2008. NCHS data brief, no 71. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.

4. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library. 

National nutrient database for standard reference, release 25. Beltsville, MD: Beltsville Human 

Nutrition Research Center, Food Surveys Research Group. Available from: http://ndb.nal.usda.

gov/ndb/foods/list.

5. Ervin RB, Kit BK, Carroll MD, Ogden CL. Consumption of added sugar among U.S. children 

and adolescents, 2005–2008. NCHS data brief, no 87. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for 

Health Statistics. 2012.

6. Krause MV, Mahan LK. Energy. In: Food, nutrition, and diet therapy: A textbook of nutritional 

care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; p. 9–23. 1984. 

7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Poverty guidelines, research, and 

measurement. Washington, DC. 2011. Available from: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml.

8. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 

Questionnaires, datasets, and related documentation. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 110 ■ November 2012

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Suggested citation

Nielsen SJ, Kit BK, Fakhouri T, Ogden CL. 

Calories consumed from alcoholic beverages 

by U.S. adults, 2007–2010. NCHS data 

brief, no 110. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys

Clifford L. Johnson, M.S.P.H., Director

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