Moderate alcohol intake does not influence resting energy expenditure. A study of 48 subjects with moderate weekly alcohol intake found no significant difference in resting metabolic rate or calories burned per kg of fat-free mass compared to controls after correcting for variables like age, sex, smoking and coffee consumption. While males with alcohol intake had a slightly higher rate, the difference was small and not clinically significant. The study concludes moderate alcohol intake does not have a permanent effect on increasing resting energy expenditure.