A cross-over study using 11 male subjects and a closely controlled diet, investigated the effect of alcohol on serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) components. Smoking status and body weight remained essentially constant and exercise changes were adjusted for in the analysis. As compared to sucrose, alcohol consumption was associated with a significant elevation in serum apolipoprotein A-I (0.37 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) with similar effects for serum HDL cholesterol (0.14 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) and serum apolipoprotein A-II (0.11 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) achieving borderline levels of statistical significance.