7 Frustrating Ways Alcohol Makes You Gain Weight

The physical and mental effects of alcohol can also contribute to weight gain. When you drink, your ability to make decisions is impaired, and that includes making healthy food choices. After a couple of drinks, it gets harder to pass on the plate of French fries or order the salad instead of the cheeseburger. And you’ve probably noticed that you get the munchies after a night of drinking, even if you ate a full dinner. If you’re looking to lose weight, you may not need to cut out alcohol completely.

How Can Drinking Alcohol Make You Gain Weight?

Additionally, drinking alcohol negatively impacts your metabolism and body’s ability to burn fat, contributing to weight gain. Consuming alcohol also makes you hungrier for high fat, high sodium food while impeding your judgment, which further contributes to poor food choices. In May a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provided another angle on gender differences.

How to Retain Less Water

However, if you’re talking about flavored or infused vodkas that come pre-mixed with juices and other added sugars and sweeteners, that can lead to weight gain. The initial loading phase of creatine supplementation typically increases body mass (weight) by about 2 to 6 pounds, mostly due to water retention. For example, the rapid weight gain that occurs with a loading dose is more common among males than females. Doctors stress that you’re not doomed to gain weight in perimenopause and menopause. And, even if you notice the scale creeping up, it’s still possible to lose it, Dr. Ali says. Taking up these habits now—even in your 20s and 30s—can help set you up for successful weight management down the road.

If your joints ache, you’re less likely to exercise and more likely to comfort eat. Estrogen and progesterone levels decline as you approach menopause, and cortisol levels increase, which can contribute to weight gain (11). The impact of beer on nutrient absorption and metabolism is another critical aspect. Beer contains various vitamins and minerals, but its absorption can be hindered by the presence of certain compounds. For instance, the tannins in beer can interfere with the absorption of iron, a mineral essential for energy production and overall health. Additionally, the high alcohol content in beer can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system, potentially leading to malabsorption issues.

Ready to achieve your weight loss goals?

Flavored vodka is especially dangerous because it’s often higher in sugar than regular vodka or other spirits, with around 10-35g of sugar per 100 ml, depending on the brand and flavor. The answer depends on how often and in what quantities you drink it. Fiber can do a few things, and one is to support a good gut microbiome. “As we age, the gut microbiome weakens and therefore fiber intake should increase,” Dr. Shepherd says. The exact amount of protein you need varies depending on other factors in your life. However, research suggests that people who are active need 1.2 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of protein to support tissue growth.

Why Does Alcohol Give Me A Headache? (Even A Small Amount)

This can be a significant issue for individuals watching their weight, as the excess sugar can be converted into fat if not used for energy. Moreover, the process of brewing and the ingredients used can contribute Substance abuse to the overall calorie count, making it a high-calorie beverage. Additionally, the process of metabolizing alcohol can be energy-intensive. When the liver detects alcohol in the bloodstream, it prioritizes breaking down the alcohol molecules, which requires a significant amount of energy. This process diverts the body’s attention and resources away from other metabolic functions, including the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates for energy. As a result, the body may store excess calories from alcohol as fat, leading to weight gain over time.

How To Help Someone Quit Drinking (A Realistic Take)

Chronic inflammation can also lead to leptin resistance, throwing off the hormone that controls appetite and metabolism. Research suggests obesity itself can increase inflammation, creating a vicious cycle with cortisol in the perimenopausal years (8, 9, 10). Drinking alcohol close to bedtime is initially a sleep aid; this is where the idea of ‘a drink before bed’ came from.

Mindfulness about your drinking helps avoid excess calories and fosters healthier habits. Setting and sticking to a limit before going out helps control your calorie intake from alcohol. Alcohol also impairs decision-making, making you more likely to choose unhealthy, high-calorie foods, especially in social settings. This combination of increased hunger and poor food choices can significantly gain weight and cause weight gain. Eating nutritious foods and controlling your calorie intake will put you on the fast track to sustainable fat loss and improved health.

• Another thing that’s fun to consider is whether pre-mixed spirits are a healthier option than regular vodka.
• Several studies have shown that physical activity can boost the moods of menopausal women.
• Alcohol can cause weight gain and bloating, especially when consumed in moderate to heavy amounts.
• This is because they often contain fewer carbohydrates and alcohol, making them a slightly better choice for those watching their weight.
• Similar research linked lower depressive symptoms to a community-based walking program for African American women (24).

While people gain weight differently, you may be more likely to gain it around your midsection when it’s due to perimenopause, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cortisol levels rise during perimenopause, but the stress hormone isn’t the sole culprit behind your changing body. Reduced muscle mass, lack of sleep, increased stress, and shift in fat distribution during this time are also to blame (1, 2, 3).

Alcohol and drugs

• “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.
• But when an onslaught of cortisol regularly floods your system, it can lead to weight gain, among other health issues.
• Different types of alcoholic drinks vary in calorie content, with some being higher than others.
• Staying hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with water can help control your overall intake.
• And like those other hormones, cortisol is crucial for all bodily functions.
• These options allow you to enjoy a drink while managing your calorie intake effectively.

Additionally, medications such as antidepressants commonly prescribed for depression can contribute to weight gain by increasing appetite. Depression can lead to emotional eating, often causing overeating, especially with calorie-dense comfort foods. First, as an alcoholic beverage, it reduces your feeling of fullness from solid food, leading you to eat more than usual. When you consume alcohol, your body prioritizes breaking it down over metabolizing fat, as alcohol is seen as a toxin that needs to be processed quickly. This process can occupy up to half of the body’s energy, hindering other metabolic functions 2 . “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.

• Some evidence suggests that eliminating alcohol among people who drink heavily helps control weight.
• That can make it easy to inadvertently consume more calories than you need.
• You can strike a balance if you’re looking to lose weight while still enjoying an occasional drink with friends.
• Cortisol spikes trigger the liver to release glucose to help you move into “fight or flight” mode.
• However, some brewers add extra sugars or sweeteners to enhance the flavor and increase the overall sweetness of the beer.
• Consuming alcohol also makes you hungrier for high fat, high sodium food while impeding your judgment, which further contributes to poor food choices.

And some people think that this might be a healthier option because it’s lower in calories and alcohol. First, diet mixers contain a mixture of artificial sweeteners and flavorings with zero calories, giving drinks a sweet taste. So, your drink will remain calorie-free if you drink a vodka soda or cranberry and use a diet mixer. There’s not much sugar in vodka—in fact, it contains about 0.9 grams of sugar for every 1.5 ounces of vodka. That’s compared to beer, which has the same serving size but 13 grams of sugar per serving!

• In contrast, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption does not cause weight gain.
• Medical treatment from licensed providers is provided by the “LifeMD Affiliated P.C.s,” an affiliated network of medical Professional Corporations and Associations.
• In May a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provided another angle on gender differences.
• While people gain weight differently, you may be more likely to gain it around your midsection when it’s due to perimenopause, according to the Mayo Clinic.
• The high calorie content, especially in light beers, can add up quickly, and the consumption of beer may also lead to a decrease in physical activity, further contributing to weight gain.

The LifeMD Affiliated P.C.s are administratively led by LifeMD Southern Patient Medical Care, P.C., with registered office 1200 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324. Medical treatment from licensed providers is provided by the “LifeMD Affiliated P.C.s,” an affiliated network of medical Professional Corporations and Associations. Explore the causes of water weight, and discover tips to reduce it. Walking, pilates, or other mindful physical exercises can provide a calming and healthier alternative. If alcohol has been your go-to for managing stress or tension, finding new outlets can be helpful. Shed pounds with GLP-1 medication prescribed online by licensed healthcare providers for as low as $75/month.