Does Alcohol Make You Gain Weight? 5 Ways It Sabotages Weight Loss

People typically consume alcoholic drinks as extras, adding to their regular daily calorie intake. Unfortunately, a recent trend is dubbed “drunkorexia.” It’s the habit of “saving” calories for a drinking session. It’s particularly popular with college students but is also increasingly practiced by drinkers of all ages. There’s only so much truth to the calories in, calories out equation . This practice encourages people to skip healthy meals and go hungry so that they can “spend” their calories on alcohol.

Plus, most alcoholic beverages have a lot of energy but little nutritional value, which is where the term ‘empty calories’ comes from. People who tend to drink more have a higher risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure, fatty liver, type 2 diabetes , and the infamous ‘beer belly’, a high level of belly fat . 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. Alcohol can also affect hunger levels, which may lead you to snack more, which then causes you to consume more calories, which ultimately may cause weight gain. Drinking alcohol can impair the functions of the glands that release hormones and the functions of the tissues targeted by those hormones, which can result in a range of health issues. “Alcohol consumption causes increased levels of the hormone cortisol, which has been linked to weight gain,” Maurin said.

Treatment Options For Alcohol Abuse

Consider the multiple ways alcohol can lead to weight gain. Alcohol itself doesn’t do your waistline any favors but what we tend to eat and mix with alcohol doesn’t help either. Forgoing booze altogether is ideal if losing weight is a health goal, but if you must imbibe, registered dietitians recommend opting for certain alcoholic beverages over others.

Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery. As a general rule, the higher the alcohol content of a beverage (a.k.a. alcohol by volume or ABV), the more calories, Keith Wallace, founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia, previously told Shape. That means a shot of hard liquor like gin, whiskey, or vodka ( proof) will have about calories per ounce. An ounce of beer or wine, on the other hand, will have about 12 and 24 calories per ounce, respectively. This refers to the amount of alcohol it takes for your inhibitions to be significantly lowered such that your energy intake substantially increases over the following 48 hours.

Increased Fat Storage

Of course, any extra calories over the RDA won’t help matters if you’re trying to slim down, but that’s just the start of it, as nutritional expert and author of The Diet Fix Dr Zoe Harcombe explains. The body cannot store alcohol or turn alcohol calories into fat.” Dr Harcombe points out in her recent newsletter. Liu S, Serdula MK, Williamson DF, Mokdad AH, Byers T. A prospective study of alcohol intake and change in body weight among US adults. A veteran of two branches of the U.S. military, Max is continuing his education in healthcare does alcohol make you gain weight administration. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government.

• There’s only so much truth to the calories in, calories out equation .
• One major way alcohol can affect your weight is that it can make you feel hungry.
• However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• For example, a person who weighs 180 lbs will have a lower blood alcohol concentration than a person who weighs 140 lbs.
• Drinking alcohol close to bedtime is initially a sleep aid; this is where the idea of ‘a drink before bed’ came from.
• People should also avoid drinking on an empty stomach because this can intensify the effects of alcohol and bring them on more quickly.

There are a few reasons why alcohol and weight gain are linked, some of which are direct and others are indirect. Ietary Guidelines recommend limiting alcohol to one serving per day for women and two for men. Beer also gets the blame because alcohol calories are so easy to overdo. A typical beer has 150 calories – and if you down several in one sitting, you can end up with serious calorie overload. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a hormone imbalance that can affect hunger, weight, and how much energy you store. Alcohol only contains what’s referred to as “empty calories.” This means that while alcohol is an energy source, it doesn’t provide many nutrients. That may be why your friend who always nursing a glass of wine or cocktail throughout dinner never gains a noticeable ounce.

Light Beer (96 to 100 Calories per 12 oz Serving)

Calissendorf et al. found that alcohol did not increase plasma levels of neuropeptide Y ; however, animal models have shown that central NPY levels are increased following alcohol consumption . Alcohol does contain calories, which, yes, can cause weight gain. It is also the metabolic priority that your body places on alcohol that causes the damage. Eliminating alcohol is not necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is perfectly fine to enjoy a glass of red wine with a meal, for example. The problem arises when people binge drink, i.e. having 3-4+ glasses of wine or pints of beer at once. “Many people find their sleep is quite disrupted after drinking alcohol, and sleep deprivation is strongly linked to weight gain over time,” Hultin said.

However, alcohol does seem to have a particular association with fat in the midsection. Some people say alcohol consumption causes weight gain, and others say that’s a myth. Some even say drinking alcohol actually causes a decrease in weight. People who are concerned about their waistline, beer belly, or weight loss goals can try low-calorie mixers like soda water, or try to limit the amount of alcohol they consume in general. Alcohol can affect a person’s body in a number of different ways and may result in either weight gain or weight loss.

Healthy drinks: 9 options to stay hydrated

Crouse JR, Grundy SM. Effects of alcohol on plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in man. Bell AC, Ge K, Popkin BM. Weight gain and its predictors in Chinese adults. Halkjær J, Tjønneland AM, Thomsen BL, Overvad K, Sørenson TI. Intake of macronutrients as predictors of 5-y changes in waist circumference. Frequency of alcohol use and obesity in community medicine patients.

However, these healthy approaches can’t undo the damage done by alcohol. Beer lovers should opt for light beers with 100 calorie or less, and limit the number they drink per day. Another option is to drink alcohol only on weekends, and to alternate alcoholic drinks with low-calorie, non-alcohol beverages. Enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner has long been considered a “healthy” move because of its purported heart-healthy benefits. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the idea can be traced back to the 1980s.

Alcohol wreaks havoc on your hormones, self-control, and ability to burn fat. Drinking can make it more difficult to make healthy choices like avoiding that slice of midnight pizza. Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

• They however noted that about half of the obese participants gained weight, with the largest weight gain being 1.8 kg .
• You might have heard the term “empty calories” used in relation to alcohol.
• If you’re struggling with weight loss, skipping on that beer or second glass of wine could make a huge difference.
• However, alcohol also works against you by slowing your metabolism.
• Vince received his bachelor’s degree in Family Science from The University of Maryland, and received his master’s degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America.