Wine versus ethanol in human nutrition. II. Fluid, sodium, and potassium balance.

Six healthy males were studied under metabolic unit conditions to determine the effects of wine vs ethanol on the absorption of various elements. Fluid, sodium, and potassium data are reported here. The following test beverages in the amount of 1 liter/day were administered in random order to each of the subjects during four 18-day experimental periods: Zinfandel wine (9.3% w/v alcohol); dealcoholized Zinfandel wine; pure ethanol (9.3% w/v aqueous alcohol solution); and deionized water. A strictly controlled isocaloric formula diet was given with the test beverage in four equal feedings over a 12-hr period. No diuretic effect of alcohol was detected in any of the subjects. Urinary sodium was significantly less during the dealcoholized wine period than during the ethanol and water periods. Urinary potassium was significantly greater during ethanol administration as compared with the other test beverages. Fecal and serum sodium and potassium were essentially unchanged throughout the study.