Does alcohol make you gain weight? Here’s what a nutritionist says (2024)

FAQs

Does alcohol make you gain weight? Here’s what a nutritionist says? ›

A: Yes. If you are drinking more than the recommended one alcoholic drink per day for a woman and two alcohol drinks per day for a man, the additional calories consumed could lead to weight

This may be a personal goal of yours. Alcohol can cause weight gain in four ways: it stops your body from burning fat, it's high in kilojoules, it can make you feel hungry, and it can lead to cravings for salty and greasy foods.

In excess, alcohol consumption may cause adverse effects on your body, leading to weight gain. For example, alcohol may affect hormones that control appetite, hunger, and stress. Alcohol is high in calories and is likely to increase abdominal fat.

Based on the fact that 1 gram of alcohol provides 7.1 kcal (29 kJ) and studies showing that energy consumed as alcohol is additive to that from other dietary sources [5], increased energy intake with alcohol use can certainly promote a positive energy balance and ultimately weight gain.

False. Your body doesn't turn every food calorie into fat just because you wash down with alcohol. However, there is some truth to the myth. Your liver recognizes the byproducts of alcohol as toxins, so your body stops processing nutrients from food you've eaten while it takes care of the "bad guys" first.

The definition of a beer belly is simply a large, protruding belly. It is also called a potbelly, a spare tire, or referred to as apple shaped. A beer belly is an accumulation of a large amount of visceral fat (the fat that surrounds your abdominal organs).

Depending on how much you drank, your starting weight, your age, and how you've treated diet and exercise since you stopped drinking, it's not uncommon to lose anywhere between 6-15 pounds after a month without alcohol.

“If heavier drinkers remove alcohol for a longer period of time, they might see weight loss, improvement in body composition, less stomach fat, improvement in triglycerides (one of the fat particles in the blood),” she said.

Many women notice an increase in belly fat as they get older even if they don't gain weight. This is likely due to a lower level of estrogen because estrogen seems to have an effect on where fat is located in the body. Genes can contribute to an individual's chances of being overweight or obese too.

What alcohol doesn't make you gain weight? ›

Beer and wine are the worst when it comes to drinking – one drink is anywhere from 100-170 calories. Tequila, vodka, gin and whiskey are the best alcohols for weight loss, with only 60-70 calories for one drink.

After a fortnight, you're also likely to start losing weight as a result of giving up alcohol's empty calories. If you were to stop drinking six 175ml glasses of wine per week, you would have saved 1,920 calories at this point, and 2,160 if you'd stopped drinking around six pints of lager.

Let's make no mistake about it, junk food does not contain any nutritional benefit. An exception may be that you add fruit to the ice cream you love. However, even with no nutritional benefit, it may be calorically less damaging than your choice of alcohol, depending what your poison is.

Bloating is one of the most common effects drinking alcohol can have on the body. Most people are familiar with the term “beer belly,” the name for the stubborn fat that tends to form around your middle if you are a frequent drinker.

A bloated alcohol belly is a common hazard of drinking. After a night out with too much alcohol, your stomach should return to normal within a few days. But if you struggle with alcohol abuse, your bloating may be chronic and you'll need to make a concentrated effort to get back to good health.

Your overall calorie intake matters: While two beers a night in moderation is unlikely to cause significant weight gain, it's important to consider the general calorie content of your diet. Drinking two beers a night on top of a high-calorie diet can lead to weight gain over time.

The Potential for Weight Gain after Quitting Alcohol

Alcohol also changes your hormones, making it harder to lose weight. Once you stop drinking, it's easy to lose a few pounds pretty quickly. However, there are some people who actually gain weight once they quit drinking.

Key takeaways: Alcohol makes your metabolism less efficient, which can lead to weight gain. In particular, alcohol slows down the chemical reactions that break down (or “burn”) fat. To help your metabolism recover, drink fluids, rest, and lower how much alcohol you drink.