Alcohol and weight control!

Alcohol, more specifically ethanol, contained in beer, wine and distilled spirits, isn’t a calorie-free treat. The alcohol contains about seven calories per gram, with most drinks contain between 10 and 15 grams of alcohol per gram. The more drinks besides the alcohol content, also contain large amount of sugar. The sugar may be natural as in wine, or may be a part additional as used in margaritas and daiquiris.

It is quite obvious that regular excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain. A study in England showed that people who regularly drank more than two drinks (30 grams of alcohol) per day gained more weight over a period of five years from their peers with moderate alcohol consumption. The consumption to two drinks per day does not appear to cause weight gain in individuals who do not suffer from problems with addiction, appears to be unrelated to any damage. In fact, moderate alcohol consumption, up to two drinks a day can be beneficial, as it is associated with lower risk of death in people aged 35-69 years and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The protection against heart disease appears to be associated with a number of factors, including: increased HDL (good cholesterol), improving insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, impaired coagulation risks, low levels of blood lipids (triglycerides) and, optionally, low blood pressure.

One issue that arises frequently is the role of moderate consumption on weight control. Because of the many examples, alcohol is often associated with the “beer belly”. However, scientific evidence shows that regular, moderate drinking may actually improve weight control and can help in weight loss. Although the survey data are conflicting is certain that moderate alcohol catalysis to 2 drinks per day, particularly wine, appears to improve the body’s ability to regulate its weight through a variety of mechanisms.

 

Mitsaris Kostas
Certified Personal Trainer
Sport&Fitness Nutrionist