4 Things That Actually Happen When Your Body Processes Alcohol
April 14, 2021
“Absolutely NO alcohol consumption.” This is a sentence you might have read when starting a new diet plan. You might have also thought to yourself… “just one glass a night won’t hurt.”
Alcohol plays a funny role in our lives… it’s socially acceptable at just about every outing. Watching a sports game? Gotta have a drink! Going to dinner with friends? You can’t just have water, right? Not to mention the social pressures of NOT indulging in the drinking festivities. It seems many of our social interactions have alcohol built in as a “normal” part of the experience.
But the reality is, it might just be the thing holding back all of your weight loss progress. Here are 4 things that happen when your body is trying to process alcohol that just might surprise you.
1. You Add Empty Calories
A large glass of wine (250ml) can have up to 228 calories in it. Just two glasses is an extra 456 calories. To put this in perspective- if you do this every day for one week, you’ve nearly gained one pound just from your alcohol consumption.
The worst part is, there is no nutritional value of alcohol- that’s why we call them ‘empty calories.’ In fact, alcohol has twice as many calories as protein and carbs sitting at 7 calories per gram. Not to mention, many alcoholic drinks contain calories from other sources which can add to your caloric intake. For example, wine and beer are heavy in carbohydrates… and carbs release insulin, which can increase fat storage.
Surveys show that very few people have any idea what’s in their boozy beverage of choice. But if your goal is to lose weight, or live a healthier lifestyle for that matter, it’s important to know how many calories you’re consuming with each drink. To help, here is a chart containing the average calorie count of all your favorite beverages.
2. You Stop Burning Fat
When consumed, alcohol is the first thing your body burns. While this might sound like a good thing, it’s actually causing your body more harm than good.
You see, when you drink, your body focuses on breaking down your alcohol instead of burning fat. And because your body is burning the alcohol-induced calories instead of fat, it can take longer for you to see weight loss results.
This doesn’t mean you can’t lose weight while consuming alcohol, it just means that seeing results will take longer. And let’s be honest, who wants that?
3. Your Brain Goes into Survival Mode
Studies show that people tend to overeat when they drink alcohol. Some even say that when we drink, alcohol switches our brain into starvation mode. The reason for this is alcohol fires up AgRP neurons, which increases appetite. And when your body is in ‘starvation mode’ you tend to crave anything fast- the fatty, salty, and carb-heavy foods.
The more you drink, the more you will eat- which is why binge drinking is especially detrimental to your weight loss goals. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of behavior that boosts blood alcohol concentration above .08 grams per deciliter. In measurable terms, that’s 4 drinks for women and 5 for men within a 2-hour time period.
Another problem with alcohol and hunger is that when we drink, our brains are more relaxed and less likely to think of the implications that come from over-eating high-calorie foods. Not to mention the way alcohol makes you feel the next day- hangovers leave you feeling groggy, unmotivated, and sleepy- hardly the mindset someone needs to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
4. Your Testosterone Levels Decrease
Male or female… testosterone levels are important to maintain. Testosterone is a powerful hormone when it comes to fat loss. It’s an anabolic hormone and contributes to the development of lean muscle mass, which also means a lowered metabolic rate.
A higher metabolic rate means you burn more calories when you are resting. So, when you drink, testosterone levels and your metabolic rate are being lowered and making it more difficult to burn fat and develop muscle. So if you work out hard every day… alcohol might be hurting your efforts at the gym.
So, Is It Even Possible to Drink Alcohol and Still Lose Weight?
Yes- you can drink and still lose weight. Drinking has absolutely no added benefit for your health goals, but asking you to never touch a drink again might be unrealistic. So if you must drink, here are a few tips to help you do it while maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle:
- Set limits: Avoid binge drinking… and try to follow the federal guidelines. It defines moderate drinking as up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
- Don’t drink every day: Reserve alcohol for special occasions as containing extra calories on a daily basis can really hinder your goals.
- Order the small: Avoid taking in extra calories by ordering the small drink when out with friends and family.
- Be patient: Changing alcohol consumption habits takes time- be patient with yourself and stick with it.
If you’re looking to make a serious lifestyle change, MRC is offering virtual coaching for just $49 a month. Our certified virtual wellness coaches can help you build a customized nutritional and exercise plan that fits your lifestyle and ensures success. Sign up and get paired with your coach today.