Why regular drinkers are at a lower risk of weight gain

According to new research by the University of Leeds, regular drinkers are less likely to gain weight over time. The study found that women who drank one to two glasses of wine every day were more likely to maintain their body weight compared to non-drinkers and those who drank heavily. It also found that men who drank an average of three pints of beer or lager every day were half as likely to gain weight compared to non-drinkers.

Does regular drinking cause weight gain?

Does alcohol affect people who weigh less more?

Why does alcohol keep you from losing weight?

Is alcohol consumption a risk factor for weight gain and obesity?

What Is The Diet Problem?

Many people drink alcohol to lose weight, but they can't keep it off. It turns out, drinking too much can lead to a double whammy: they retain water and their body actually burns fewer calories than normal. Regular drinkers avoid those issues thanks to two things: (1) enzymes that help break down alcohol in your stomach (you don't need these enzymes if you're only drinking once in awhile) and (2) faster metabolic rates that burn off calories faster. If you have trouble losing weight when you drink occasionally, stick with regular, moderate consumption. And no—moderate doesn't mean seven glasses of wine every night; instead aim for around two drinks per day or less.

Weight Gain And Poor Health Linked To Drinking

While regular drinkers had an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese, they were less likely to become obese and more likely to stay slim if they were already a healthy weight. More moderate consumption was associated with better health status in general and may be due to alcohol being linked to reduced psychological stress levels, as well as social benefits such as improving relationships. Moderate drinking could also increase muscle mass, which is good for overall health. Moderate drinking might also increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and improve insulin sensitivity, both of which are linked to improved heart health. The researchers concluded that their findings suggest that moderate alcohol intake could help prevent weight gain among people who drink moderately but do not have unhealthy lifestyles.

What Causes Weight Gain In Regular Drinkers?

It could have something to do with your liver. That’s according to research from The Scripps Research Institute, which found that high levels of alcohol consumption may stimulate fat burning in your liver. Specifically, drinking in moderation may encourage production of proteins called triglyceride lipase (TL) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 3 (ACSL3). The former helps break down fats in your liver, and the latter converts those fats into energy that you can use for things like exercise or general day-to-day functions.

Low Calorie Drinks

Drinking more low-calorie drinks like water and diet soda can actually help you lose weight, by making it easier to resist eating junk food later. Researchers analyzed 29 studies involving almost 70,000 people who were followed for 12 to 25 years. Those who drank one or more servings of diet beverages per day were 22 percent less likely to gain weight than those who didn't drink them—and 33 percent less likely to become obese. Plus, they were seven times as likely to maintain their normal body weight. Of course, if you're drinking artificially sweetened drinks because you have an unhealthy relationship with sugar, that won't do anything for your waistline (in fact, it might make things worse). But if it helps keep you in check with your overall diet?

Are Alcohol Calories Different From Other Calories?

While it’s widely accepted that alcohol consumption can contribute to your waistline—it doesn’t exactly leave you full and satisfied—some argue that it isn’t actually high-calorie, but that its calories aren’t recognized by your body. Studies have found, however, that alcohol calories are in fact processed differently than other calories. According to dietician Julie Upton, alcohol enters your bloodstream directly through your stomach lining—whereas solid food has to be broken down in order for nutrients to be absorbed into your system. As such, Upton says it may not take as much food for people who drink regularly (versus those who don't) to feel full and satisfied.

A Steady Intake Of Alcohol Can Prevent This Regeneration Process

Alcohol acts as an appetite suppressant in both men and women, but it appears to work in two very different ways, according to researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch. When men consume alcohol it reduces their levels of peptide YY (PYY), a hormone that tells our brain we’re full. And when women drink alcohol they tend to experience an increase in PYY, which can make them feel fuller than they would without any booze. In other words, alcohol has different effects on men and women when it comes to food consumption—and that could play into its ability to either prevent or promote weight gain.

Drinking May Enhance Belly Fat Storage

One reason for heavier belly fat among nondrinkers may be that they tend to have poorer overall diets and less-healthy lifestyles than those who do drink, Schwartz said. Abstainers' foods tend to have higher amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates, which increase belly fat storage, he said. In addition, diet quality is generally worse among nondrinkers. Belly fat is linked with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. (Reuters Health, May 2010) Drinking too much alcohol can cause significant weight gain. A new study shows men who consume three or more drinks per day are at greater risk of gaining abdominal fat—the type most likely to cause health problems—than men who don't drink as much. Women were not included in the study because they were found to experience different effects from alcohol consumption than men. The findings show moderate drinking may protect against overall body fatness but does not appear to affect where on the body fat accumulates, Dr Brownell explained in an email.(Reuters Health, February 2009)

Diuretic Effects Of Alcohol Reduce Water Retention That Can Lead To Fat Gain

Alcohol is often thought to be fattening, but recent research suggests it could actually help prevent you from packing on too many pounds. When your body metabolizes alcohol, one of its byproducts is diuretic—meaning it promotes urination. And since alcohol affects your kidneys, all that excess fluid has to come out somehow, right? This means you end up passing more water and eliminating more sodium. When your body senses you have less salt available for absorption, it reduces how much water it retains as well (1). If you’re not drinking enough water to replace what’s being flushed out—which is especially likely if you’re also sweating from exercise or hot weather—you might end up retaining more water than normal.