Consuming alcohol in moderation may be harmless, but drinking it excessively has detrimental effects on our health, including adding excess calories to our diet.

Alcoholic drinks are calorie-rich, and when consumed in large amounts, can lead to weight gain and obesity. In this article, we will explore how alcohol leads to excessive calorie intake and the effects it has on our body.

Alcohol and Weight Gain

Alcoholic drinks contain calories, just like food. However, unlike food, alcohol does not provide any nutritional value, making it an empty source of calories.

Alcohol contains seven calories per gram, whereas carbohydrates and protein contain only four calories per gram, and fat contains nine calories per gram.

What makes alcoholic beverages worse is that they are often mixed with sweetened drinks like soda or fruit juice, further adding to the calorie count. Drinking regularly can also deplete the body of nutrients, leading to cravings and hunger pangs.

This, coupled with an increased appetite from drinking, leads to overeating and weight gain.

The Hunger Factor

Studies have found that drinking alcohol can increase appetite by making people feel hungrier and craving high-calorie foods. Alcohol can also lower inhibitions and increase impulsiveness, leading to poor choices in food selection and eating habits.

Furthermore, alcohol consumption can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, leading to a sudden hunger burst. To satisfy the hunger, people often turn to calorie-dense foods like pizza, burgers, and fries.

The Effects on Metabolism

Alcohol can also slow down metabolism, making it harder for the body to burn off calories. When alcohol is consumed, it is broken down into acetate, which the body uses for energy.

However, acetate is not the body’s preferred source of energy, causing fat to be stored in the body instead of being burned off.

The liver, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol, also stops metabolizing fat. As a result, the body’s fat burning capacity can be reduced by up to 70%.

This slows down the body’s ability to break down and eliminate toxins that can lead to weight gain.

The Impacts on Hormones

Drinking alcohol can affect hormone production, leading to weight gain. Alcohol has been found to affect the hormones that regulate appetite, satiety, and fat storage.

Alcohol can increase the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that promotes fat storage in the abdominal area, leading to a “beer belly.”.

Alcohol also decreases the production of the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite. When leptin levels decrease, the body’s metabolism slows down, leading to weight gain.

The Risk of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is defined as consuming an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period, leading to possible alcohol poisoning.

Binge drinking not only leads to the risk of physical harm and alcohol dependency but also increases the chances of eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating disorder.

Binge drinking can cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, leading to an increase in insulin levels and a higher risk of diabetes. Over time, excess alcohol intake can also lead to liver disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

The Bottom Line

While moderate alcohol consumption may have some health benefits, excessive alcohol intake can lead to weight gain, obesity, and various health problems.

Alcohol is an empty source of calories that adds to your daily intake and can cause an imbalance in metabolism and hormones. Limiting alcohol intake and making healthier choices in food selection can lead to a healthier lifestyle.