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

“Cutting out alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is one of the quickest ways to lose weight,” says Dr Brewer. If you’re eating junk food, those carbohydrates will also hold onto water, making you gain even more weight. But once you go back to eating right and exercising, you should be able to flush out that water weight quickly. You can also mix them with soda water or another mixer if it doesn’t have any calories. However, you should consume them moderately as they’re also easier to overconsume. If you are going to drink beer, find a light beer with low carbs.

You’re parked at a desk all day long.

By working in these strategies, you can still does alcohol make you gain weight enjoy alcohol in moderation while working toward your weight loss goals. “Across the board, for people who are trying to lose some weight, cutting out empty calories is a good place to start,” emphasizes Dr. Heinberg. Use our 7-day unit calculator to find out and learn about the implications this may be having on your health. Beer bellies tend to be more prominent in older people because as you get older, your calorie needs go down, you often become less active, and gaining weight gets easier.

You’re stressed or depressed.

In contrast, older adults (ages 50+) may experience a more pronounced increase in appetite due to age-related changes in metabolism and hormone production. However, regardless of age, the key takeaway is that being aware of the link between alcohol and cravings can empower individuals to make more informed choices. As much as we enjoy drinking alcohol, we perhaps don’t always keep in mind how it affects our bodies. While many viewpoints exist on how alcohol, in moderation, can also be beneficial to health, the fact remains that the calories found in alcohol are ‘empty’. This means that excessive drinking is not just putting you at risk of heart and liver ailments, but also adding to the weight gain.

How Does Alcohol Affect Weight Loss?

Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

So just one shot of vodka will keep you from burning fat for over an hour. Still, the study suggests that cutting out alcohol isn’t a reliable way to lose weight in the short term, and, over the course of years, may only have a small effect at most. Alcohol can also irritate the lining of your stomach and gut, making it harder to eat well and absorb nutrients from food. This means vitamins and minerals may not be absorbed or used as well as they should be. Learn how oral GLP-1 medications like Rybelsus and new options work to manage type 2 diabetes and support weight loss.

• According to the National Eating Disorders Association, some individuals may suffer both from anorexia and an alcohol use disorder.
• Erectile dysfunction can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with your doctor, with your partner and with your friends.
• It’s important to realize that more than refined sugar can lead to belly fat gain.
• Visceral fat is fat that builds up deep within the abdomen in the space around the organs.

• Pairing alcohol with protein-rich snacks can help mitigate hunger pangs and prevent overeating.
• It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly.
• This altered brainchemistry is what makes people lose their inhibitions when they drink.
• With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics.

Studies have revealed varying results regarding the links between AUD and obesity in men and women. In general, though, heavy drinking does not support healthful lifestyle choices, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. If you’re using soda to mix your drinks,then you could be gaining a lot of extra calories.

Alcohol’s Impact on Appetite and Food Choices

Dr. Weiner says you really can’t overeat vegetables (seriously, the more you eat, the better). Sleep is important for many aspects of your health, including weight. Studies show that not Alcoholics Anonymous getting enough sleep may be linked to a higher risk of obesity and increased belly fat for some groups.

But cutting back on your alcohol intake can have plenty of health benefits either way. And from what we know, it won’t exactly hurt your weight loss journey. If you do plan to drink, there are ways to reduce your intake of calories and stay healthy. Other types of alcohol like spirits and wine have fewer calories per standard drink than beer.

Stress-induced drinking often leads to mindless snacking and poor food choices, compounding the metabolic effects. If you find yourself reaching for alcohol as a coping mechanism, consider alternative stress relievers like meditation, exercise, or journaling. Tracking your intake—both alcohol and food—can provide clarity on how drinking patterns correlate with weight changes. By addressing both the physiological and behavioral components, you can minimize alcohol’s impact on fat storage and maintain a healthier balance.