Obesity and alcohol: risks to health, pathogenetic mechanisms of interaction

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and obesity are significant risk factors that adversely affect human health. Objective. This review aims to explore the interplay between alcohol consumption and obesity, both of which contribute to the development of metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. Materials and methods. A search and review of the scientific literature was conducted using the PubMed, eLibrary, and Scopus databases for publications from 2016 to 2026. The search, performed on June 1, 2026, included key terms such as «alcohol,» «nutrition,» «obesity,» «metabolic syndrome,» «cardiovascular risk,» «oncology,» and «intestinal microbiota.» A total of 40 publications were selected, along with 5 papers published prior to 2016 that provided valuable foundational knowledge on these topics. Results. This review discusses the influence of the interplay between alcohol consumption and obesity on the emergence of metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases, with particular emphasis on the correlation between alcohol intake and dietary patterns across different countries. Conclusion. There is a need for preventive and therapeutic strategies that take into account the shared pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the interaction between alcohol consumption and obesity.