Does Alcohol Cause Weight Gain?
We have all seen “beer bellies” on beer drinkers. Yet French women who drink wine on a regular basis seem to remain thin. So does alcohol contribute towards weight gain? The research in this area is controversial. Some studies demonstrate a link between alcohol and weight gain, especially when alcohol is combined with a high calorie meal. This is likely due to the fact that alcohol acts as an appetite stimulant. A Canadian study shows that an aperitif (an alcoholic drink taken before a meal to increase the appetite) increased calorie intake to a greater extent than a carbohydrate-based drink. Other studies show similar effects. Researchers from Denmark’s Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University report similar results. When a group of men were given a meal and allowed to eat as much as they wanted, they ate more when the meal was served with beer or wine rather than a soft drink.
But not all studies support this link. Some clinical research indicates that replacing dietary carbohydrates with alcohol causes body weight loss, and adding a moderate amount of alcohol to an adequate diet causes little weight gain, according to Richard Mattes, Ph.D., R.D., associate professor at Purdue University.
So as we can see from the above studies, alcohol does not affect everyone in the same way. In my experience, I find that some of my clients experience more difficulty losing weight if they are consuming alcohol (or at least more than a few drinks a week).
Bottom line: if you are having difficulty losing weight, you will need to evaluate how alcohol affects you.
- How many calories are you consuming from alcohol? I have many clients who eat out at least 4 nights a week and consume 2 glasses of wine at each restaurant meal. This is a significant amount of calories.
- Does alcohol decrease your willpower to watch what you eat or increase your hunger at the meal when you are drinking?
- Does alcohol increase your hunger later on in the evening after you have had a few drinks? (dialing for Chinese food at 1 am, stopping in at the diner after a night out with the girls or late night snacking?)
- Do you have increased cravings the day after drinking or decreased energy levels for your workout?
If you are still having trouble losing weight despite being careful with your food intake, I would recommend that you experiment and avoid alcohol totally for 2-4 weeks. If you see your weight drop by a pound or two on the scale, you will know that alcohol is having an effect on your weight!
Share This Tags: alcohol, Diet, drinking, Weight Gain, Weight Loss, wine
How to subscribe! 
April 17th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Martha, I love your site. You are so right about the alcohol. I am in my early 30’s and love NYC nightlife. My dates are also buying me another one. But I know when I drink more I find it harder to stick to my diet. I also go to the gym less. I am going to try your suggestion …. thanks Jillian
April 18th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Thanks Jillian! It is tough trying to juggle going out and having drinks while watching your weight.
Let us know how you did after you tried the tips I gave you. Maybe you will come up with a few of your own that you can share with us!
July 15th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
[...] The calories from alcohol can lead to weight gain Below is a list of many beers, wines, cocktails, and shots. Look for your favorites and determine how many calories you tend to drink in a night. Remember all calorie when consumed in excess of your needs will lead to weight gain. It does not matter whether the calories are from food or alcohol. So if you are looking for the culprit of your weight gain, or your inability to lose weight, it may just be that night out or happy hour with your friends. Try lower calorie drinks and maybe change some of your behaviors while drinking so you are mindful of how many drinks and calories you are actually taking in. [...]
February 10th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
[...] in alcohol Does alcohol cause weight gain? Tips to deal with the dreaded [...]
September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I had to abstain from alcohol for abouy 6 months because of medication I was taking. Almost immediately I lost about 10 lbs and kept it off. There were no other significant changes in my diet or lifestyle. Previously I had been drinking about 1 glass of wine (both reds & whites) a day and the occasional fruity cocktail. I have been able to resume drinking and have done so but I am much more mindful of those empty carlories than I had been before.