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. But even if you don’t consume massive amounts of alcohol, you could still be subjecting yourself to serious weight gain.

However, a clear cause-and-effect association between alcohol intake and weight gain is not apparent based on the mixed and conflicting available evidence on the topic. Given that both excessive alcohol intake and obesity are of public health concern, a better understanding of the association between alcohol consumption and excess body weight is warranted. While cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have controlled for a number of important lifestyle factors, there are many to consider when examining body weight regulation. Future research must consider the other important factors that may influence the link between alcohol and obesity, some of which are discussed below.

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Sleep deprivation increases hormones that increase appetite and fullness. It’s long been known that alcohol intake can affect levels of hormones in the body, especially testosterone. Alcohol spikes cortisol levels in the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/warning-signs-of-drug-use-and-addiction/ body, which contributes to the accumulation of belly fat. It also impedes your ability to get a good night’s sleep, further contributing to belly fat. Alcohol does not cause weight gain the same way eating a donut does.

Ways that your standard hangover cures won’t even begin to touch. When you drink too much alcohol, it can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Your gut microbiome is a hotbed of bacteria that help keep your digestive system happy and healthy.

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

To reduce weight avoiding binge drinking can be a crucial first step toward weight loss. The effects on your body will be more pronounced, potentially leading to internal organ damage and other medical conditions. When you get hungry while drinking, consider having vegetables and water instead of high-calorie foods.

A common-sense approach is to drink very moderately, if consuming a very small amount of alcohol will make staying on the diet easier. And exercise might compensate for the extra calories so weight loss won’t be slowed. But if the alcohol leads you down a slippery slope to munching on cheese-drenched nachos and Buffalo wings, stick to club soda and a slice does alcohol make you gain weight of lime. Alcohol can also influence hunger via several central mechanisms. The effects of alcohol on opioid, serotonergic, and GABAergic pathways in the brain all suggest the potential to increase appetite [62–65]. A summary of the effects of alcohol on important appetite hormones and central neurological pathways in humans can be found in Table 2.

Other Ways Alcohol Can Affect Your Body

This article reviews the calories in wine, how it compares with other alcoholic drinks, and whether drinking too much of it can lead to weight gain. But if you’re able to make smart choices about your alcohol diet, exercise the rest of the time, and get a good night’s sleep, drinking alcohol won’t make you put on weight. Red wine is generally a wise choice if you’re trying to lose weight.