Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Alcohol Affects WeightCalorie Content in AlcoholOffsetting Alcohol Weight GainUnderstanding Alcohol Bloat
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Alcohol Affects Weight
Calorie Content in Alcohol
Offsetting Alcohol Weight Gain
Understanding Alcohol Bloat
Alcohol can cause weight gain and have a negative impact on the body. Some people may see an immediate effect of bloating from alcohol.Long-term effects of alcoholinclude weight gain from its high calories and low nutritional value.
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Alcohol can affect weight in the following ways:
Alcohol UseAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking is defined as moderate, heavy, or binge:Moderate drinkingis one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day formen.Heavy drinkingis defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.Binge drinkingis defined as an occasion where a woman drinks four or more drinks or a man drinks five or more drinks.Heavy drinking is the most likely to cause weight gain.
Alcohol Use
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking is defined as moderate, heavy, or binge:Moderate drinkingis one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day formen.Heavy drinkingis defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.Binge drinkingis defined as an occasion where a woman drinks four or more drinks or a man drinks five or more drinks.Heavy drinking is the most likely to cause weight gain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking is defined as moderate, heavy, or binge:
Heavy drinking is the most likely to cause weight gain.
Which Alcohol Contributes to Weight Gain the Most?
Compared ounce for ounce, alcoholic drinks' calorie count will vary. Below is a list of some of the most popular alcoholic drinks and their calorie content.
Alcoholic drinks are served in varying sizes. Below is a list from least calories to most, based on serving size.
Habits to Offset Alcohol Weight Gain
Engaging in healthy habits every day can help offset alcohol weight gain. However, the best way to limit weight gain from alcohol is to consume less or no alcohol. The empty calories will not make you feel full and can add extra pounds.
Below are other lifestyle habits to incorporate into your everyday life:
Some people may experience bloating after they drink. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing gastritis, which can cause abdominal bloating.
Alcohol can make many long-term changes in the body.
Summary
Sharing an alcoholic beverage with someone is a common way to celebrate, wind down, or enjoy a night out. Alcohol can cause weight gain and bloating, especially when consumed in moderate to heavy amounts. Avoiding alcohol is the best way to prevent weight gain from the beverage. A healthcare provider can help guide treatment if you have concerns about drinking or weight loss.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Weight loss and alcohol.Cains S, Blomeley C, Kollo M, Rácz R, Burdakov D.Agrp neuron activity is required for alcohol-induced overeating.Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):14014. doi:10.1038/ncomms14014Rachdaoui, Nadia & Sarkar, Dipak. (2017).Pathophysiology of the effects of alcohol abuse on the endocrine system.Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 38. 255-276.Colrain IM, Nicholas CL, Baker FC.Alcohol and the sleeping brain.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:415-31. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00024-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute of Health.Hangovers.National Institute of Health.Gastritis & gastropathy.Kazibwe R, Chevli PA, Evans JK, et al.Association between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat in the multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis.JAHA. 2023;12(18):e030470. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.030470
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Weight loss and alcohol.Cains S, Blomeley C, Kollo M, Rácz R, Burdakov D.Agrp neuron activity is required for alcohol-induced overeating.Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):14014. doi:10.1038/ncomms14014Rachdaoui, Nadia & Sarkar, Dipak. (2017).Pathophysiology of the effects of alcohol abuse on the endocrine system.Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 38. 255-276.Colrain IM, Nicholas CL, Baker FC.Alcohol and the sleeping brain.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:415-31. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00024-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute of Health.Hangovers.National Institute of Health.Gastritis & gastropathy.Kazibwe R, Chevli PA, Evans JK, et al.Association between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat in the multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis.JAHA. 2023;12(18):e030470. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.030470
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Weight loss and alcohol.Cains S, Blomeley C, Kollo M, Rácz R, Burdakov D.Agrp neuron activity is required for alcohol-induced overeating.Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):14014. doi:10.1038/ncomms14014Rachdaoui, Nadia & Sarkar, Dipak. (2017).Pathophysiology of the effects of alcohol abuse on the endocrine system.Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 38. 255-276.Colrain IM, Nicholas CL, Baker FC.Alcohol and the sleeping brain.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:415-31. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00024-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.National Institute of Health.Hangovers.National Institute of Health.Gastritis & gastropathy.Kazibwe R, Chevli PA, Evans JK, et al.Association between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat in the multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis.JAHA. 2023;12(18):e030470. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.030470
MedlinePlus.Weight loss and alcohol.
Cains S, Blomeley C, Kollo M, Rácz R, Burdakov D.Agrp neuron activity is required for alcohol-induced overeating.Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):14014. doi:10.1038/ncomms14014
Rachdaoui, Nadia & Sarkar, Dipak. (2017).Pathophysiology of the effects of alcohol abuse on the endocrine system.Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 38. 255-276.
Colrain IM, Nicholas CL, Baker FC.Alcohol and the sleeping brain.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:415-31. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00024-0
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.
National Institute of Health.Hangovers.
National Institute of Health.Gastritis & gastropathy.
Kazibwe R, Chevli PA, Evans JK, et al.Association between alcohol consumption and ectopic fat in the multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis.JAHA. 2023;12(18):e030470. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.030470
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