According to researchers, a study of more than 15,000 U. S. adults found the more people drank alcohol, the poorer food choices they made.

Heavy drinking and dietary factors have independently been associated with cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and other chronic health problems, said Kenneth R. Warren, acting director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute and the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Warren said in a statement, "This finding raises questions about whether the combination of alcohol misuse and poor diet might interact to further increase health risks."

It was also found by the study that decreased fruit consumption and increased caloric intake among both men and women. Increased alcoholic beverage consumption was associated with a decreased intake of whole grains and milk among men, the study further found.

First author Rosalind A. Breslow of the NIAAA said, "We found that as alcoholic beverage consumption increased and Healthy Eating Index scores decreased, an indication of poorer food choices. It's important to note that our study did not determine the cause of these associations." (With Inputs from Agencies)