Most of us are probably aware that we prefer stodgy foods after drinking and are less inclined to be active the next day, but it can be pretty surprising when the numbers are added up. When people discuss alcohol’s effect on weight, they typically refer to the calories in alcohol as the leading cause of weight gain. Otherwise, keep reading as we look at the three ways alcohol can lead to higher body weight, waistline, and health problems in the long term. At Second Nature, you’re provided with a registered nutritionist or dietitian who can support you manage your alcohol intake to suit your lifestyle and preferences. Drinking no more than one drink per day for females and two for males can help prevent bloating and other problems relating to alcohol use. Anyone with a history of gastritis may wish to speak with a doctor about whether alcohol is suitable for them to consume.

What is light, moderate, and heavy drinking?

Even non-drinkers who consumed vodka had better hypertension results than those who drank other spirits or beer. There’s not much sugar in vodka—in fact, it contains about 0.9 grams of sugar for every 1.5 ounces of vodka. That’s compared to beer, which has the same serving size but 13 grams of sugar per serving! So if you worry that you’ll be piling on the pounds with sugary drinks, this could be why vodka is your best bet—it has only trace amounts of sugar. According to the CDC, approximately 29 percent of Americans have high blood pressure, which is about 75 million people.

Reasons You’re Not Staying Sober (+ What To Do About It)

Even though someone who engages in heavy drinking could be gaining weight, specifically, fat mass, they can also be losing muscle mass, which will lower their BMI. One of the main reasons alcohol has gotten such a bad rap is for this very reason. Many can’t control their alcohol and the choices they make afterward. So doctors are does alcohol make u gain weight hesitant to recommend drinking alcohol at all for this reason. Many mixed drinks contain a high amount of sugar that’s quickly dumped into your fat stores while your body is busy burning off the alcohol. If your goal is to be able to still drink and get skinny, then you’re going to need to pick the healthiest alcoholic beverages.

Take note: Alcohol is not a diet food

By comparison, a recommended afternoon snack should have between 150 and 200 calories. A night out with several drinks can lead to consuming a few hundred extra calories. Some evidence suggests that eliminating alcohol among people who drink heavily helps control weight.

Potential Health Benefits of Vodka

You’ve just poured 674 nutritionally empty calories into your body. When the body is dehydrated, skin and vital organs try to hold onto as much water as possible, leading to puffiness in the face and elsewhere. And prolonged alcohol use can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. “Excessive alcohol consumption can cause nerve damage and irreversible forms of dementia,” Dr. Sengupta warns.

• In the longer term, alcohol consumption can contribute to chronic gastritis, where persistently high levels of stomach acid cause stomach ulcers to develop.
• Research suggests that alcohol can lead to increased periods of wakefulness during sleep cycles.
• If you want a happier, more stable life, one of the BEST things you can do for yourself is quit drinking alcohol.

Alcohol makes you more sedentary.

If you fancy a good beer or glass of wine, chances are you’re ingesting more liquid calories than you realize. If you’ve noticed you’ve gained weight or tend to bloat when you drink alcohol, you may want to consider cutting back on your alcohol consumption. After a night out drinking, you may also notice bloating in your face, which is often accompanied by redness.

• Wine and beer can clock in at anywhere from 120 to 200 calories per serving respectively.
• Alcohol spikes cortisol levels in the body, which contributes to the accumulation of belly fat.
• But prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to chronic (long-term) pancreatitis, which can be severe.
• Beer, hard cider, sugary wine – they can all pack a powerful caloric punch.
• Alcohol has sedative effects that may help you relax and make you sleepy after a drink.

#2 Make wise beer and wine choices

Opt for low-calorie options like light beer, and skip mixed drinks with a lot of liqueur, juice, and syrup. Ensure you eat a hearty meal before going out, and keep healthy snacks on hand if you get hungry. Some evidence suggests that heavy drinking may cause your adrenal glands not to regulate how much cortisol they secrete. As a result, people who drink heavily may have high cortisol levels. Still, there are a few things you may want to know about alcohol intake and body composition if you think drinking may affect your weight. If you want to enjoy a drink but limit your alcohol intake, try subbing in some of our favorite nonalcoholic drinks and spirits, several of which are low-calorie or low-sugar.

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