Alcohol and weight: Does drinking make you fat?

New Delhi: Does alcohol make you fat? Can you drink and still lose weight? The answer can be both -Yes and No. The link between alcohol and weight remains to be the subject of inconclusive studies.

Alcohol and weight gain

While findings are inconclusive, the fact is that alcohol itself contains 7 calories per gram and is not a diet food. Because alcohol doesn't give much nutritional benefit, the calories that it provides are considered empty calories, leading to weight gain. This indicates that alcohol can disrupt your weight loss goals.

Studies suggest alcohol can actually stimulate the appetite - at least in the short term – proving one possible reason how drinking can make you gain weight. Further, evidence suggests that people who consume or drink more than 30g of alcohol per day are more likely to gain weight and become obese.

Furthermore, alcohol can make you crave other foods, perhaps, even binge eat at night. Just imagine the effects of all of the extra calories you are eating apart from all of the calories you just drank.

Whether you believe it or not, it's been shown how alcohol can pack on the pounds.

Alcohol drinking tips

But, if you can't completely control alcohol use or even if you drink, make sure that you have it with a health meal.

Avoid mixing alcohol with processed food as this can lead to weight gain.

Stick to alcoholic beverages that have fewer sugar content.

Do not get drunk or overdo it as this can make you overeat, which is the leading cause of weight gain with alcohol consumption.

Possible health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption

Although the evidence about the health benefits of alcohol is still uncertain, it is believed that moderate alcohol consumption may be good for you. For instance, it -

Reduces your risk of developing and dying from heart disease

Possibly reduces your risk of ischemic stroke, diabetes.

For healthy adults, moderate alcohol use/drinking is defined as up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger; one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65.

Risks of excessive alcohol use

Excessive drinking can increase your risk of serious health problems, including, cancers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, sudden death if you already have heart disease.