Let's face it: sometimes you just want a glass of wine (or two) to unwind at the end of the day. While it may not do wonders for your sleep, it can definitely help relieve stress—plus, a glass of red wine, in particular, may even provide some health benefits. However, you may be wondering how alcohol affects excess weight.
ContentHow alcohol affects excess weight: should it be demonized? How does alcohol affect excess weight: the impact on your body How to drink alcohol while trying to lose weight Alcohol with the fewest calories
Do you really need to give it up? WomanEL will talk about the relationship between alcohol and weight loss.
How alcohol affects excess weight: should it be demonized?
Yes, you can drink alcohol and still lose weight. But it all depends on how you do it. When deciding whether you can lose weight and still drink your favorite drink, you need to consider two things: the calories in alcohol and the alcohol content.
Typically, the higher the alcohol content of a drink (called alcohol content, or ABV), the more calories, Kate Wallace, founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia, told Shape. This means that a serving of spirits such as gin, whiskey or vodka (80-100 proof) will contain about 68-85 calories per ounce (30 ml). On the other hand, an ounce of beer or wine will contain about 12 and 24 calories per ounce, respectively.
But forget about the calories in your favorite drink for a second. Because for most people, the calories in their favorite cocktails are a much bigger barrier to weight loss than the alcohol itself. Just 118 ml of some daiquiri or margarita mixes can contain more than 35 grams of sugar – that's 7 teaspoons of sugar!
In addition, these drink mixes contain more than double the calories of a serving of rum or tequila included in drink. Calories from mixers and shakes are the worst types of calories: simple and refined sugar. When these are combined with the way alcohol affects metabolism, the situation gets even worse.
How alcohol affects excess weight: effects on your body
Some frequently asked questions: Does vodka make you gain weight? What about beer? Does wine make you fat? But it's time to put an end to the “alcohol makes you fat” worry. Because it's actually a myth. It is the combination of alcohol and sugar found in cocktails (or bars often consumed with alcohol) that inhibits weight loss and potentially leads to weight gain.
Alcohol does contain calories, which, yes, can lead to weight gain. But that's not the only potential culprit. The metabolic priority your body gives to alcohol (compared to carbohydrates and fats) also causes harm. Your body wants to process alcohol first, which has been shown to create a metabolic environment almost opposite to what your body creates after exercise – high levels of circulating fat and delayed fat burning.
How to drink alcohol while trying to lose weight
Although it may seem strange, alcohol has its benefits. Moderate drinking (1 drink per day for women) increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and studies show that people who drink a couple of drinks a week live longer.
Here are some ways that Drinking alcohol and losing weight can work together.
- Pay attention to the serving size. When you drink, know your serving size. A glass of wine is not a glass filled to the brim, but 148 ml.
- Minimize calories from mixing drinks. Make margaritas with real lime juice, use sugar-free tonic, or even natural, zero-calorie soda instead of regular tonic and other high-calorie sodas.
- Get creative. If you only like flavored drinks, try adding some fresh ingredients, such as mint or raspberry.
- Drink in moderation. We've heard this before, but it bears repeating. Reducing the number of drinks you drink each week can help you reach your weight loss goals faster.
Alcohol with the fewest calories
Several types of alcohol are presented here with the fewest calories per serving, according to the US National Institutes of Health.
- Gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, tequila: 97 calories per 44 ml.
- Brandy, cognac : 98 calories per 44 ml.
- Champagne: 84 calories per 118 ml.
- Red wine: 125 calories per 148 ml.
Who -prefers to drink one glass of alcohol per day. And others – several on weekends. Who will have better health?