Believe it or not, alcohol can help you lose weight. In fact, some experts claim that consuming a drink a day can help with weight loss. But what exactly is the mechanism at work here? Let’s delve into the study, shall we?
Reduce Calorie Intake
The first and most obvious mechanism at work is simply that alcohol inhibits your appetite. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol “slows down your appetite for a while, which may help you lose a few pounds.” It goes on to explain that alcohol can interfere with certain people’s bodies’ ability to absorb nutrients, leading to slower growth and fewer calories being burned. While this may be the case, alcohol’s primary mechanism for helping with weight loss is purely behavioral. That is, drinking encourages you to eat less or feel fuller for longer. It has been found that people who drink often consume fewer calories and are less likely to overeat. This is largely due to the fact that alcohol inhibits the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin and stimulates the appetite-inhibiting hormone leptin. The takeaway from all this is that alcohol can make you feel fuller and promote weight loss. It just takes a while for the body to adjust to the new routine.
Suppressed Serum Ghrelin Levels
Another interesting finding that came from the same study is that alcohol suppresses ghrelin, which is why it makes you feel fuller. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone that encourages you to eat. So, when you drink, your appetite is inhibited, which in turn suppresses ghrelin. This can lead to weight loss, particularly for those who are prone to overeating. It should be noted that while alcohol suppresses ghrelin, it does not actually reduce your hunger. In fact, some people have observed that alcohol can increase their appetite. However, this is purely behavioral. When you drink, you may feel like you want to eat more, but your body’s chemical make-up remains unaltered. Therefore, your physical drives (hunger and thirst) are still there, and you should still feel like you’re starving or dehydrated. The take away here is that while alcohol suppresses ghrelin, it does not cause you to lose weight due to a lack of hunger. To that end, when you drink, eat a little less, and you’ll be on your way to weight loss in no time.
Hepatic Denervation
Also worth noting is that alcohol can cause your liver to produce less insulin. Insulin is a hormone which aids in the process of transporting nutrients to cells in your body. When your liver produces less insulin, it either stops the process or alters it in such a way that it becomes less effective. Either way, this puts you at risk for nutrient deficiencies. That is, if you’re drinking regularly and not eating well, you’re likely to become deficient in certain nutrients, resulting in you gaining weight regardless of how much you consume. For example, low levels of vitamin A can cause you to gain weight. Fortunately, the jury is still out regarding the long-term effects of alcohol on insulin production, and clinical trials are ongoing. Nonetheless, this is a potential side effect which you should be made aware of. On a sidenote, too much alcohol can cause your liver to become toxic, resulting in you losing weight as a side effect of the repair process. Regardless, it’s still considered a generally beneficial substance when used in moderation.
Activation Of Brown Fat
As we’ve established, alcohol inhibits certain hormones which stimulate appetite, as well as those which reduce it. What happens when you drink alcohol? In general, it promotes thermogenesis, which is the scientific term for “increasing your body’s temperature.” Basically, when you drink alcohol, your body enters a state of alertness, making you feel like you want to take on the world. This is why it has been referred to as “liquid courage.” While this can be a good thing, especially if you’re in a cold climate and want to stay awake (or if you want to ward off those chilly mornings), too much alcohol can cause your body to enter a state of damage. This is where the problem lies. When your body becomes overwhelmed by this stimulatory effect, you may end up gaining weight without even realizing it. Just be mindful of how much you’re drinking and try to stay within recommended limits. It’s also important to note that while this mechanism may help with weight loss, it also increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes, as well as other medical problems. For that matter, make sure you consult your physician before beginning any weight loss program, whether on top of your current treatment or as an excuse to have a drink now and then.
Increased Energy Levels
As we’ve established, alcohol can increase your body’s temperature. What does this mean in terms of your daily routine? Well, as your body warms up, you tend to feel more energetic, making it easier to break a sweat and lose weight. This is one of the reasons why people who drink report being able to workout more and why it’s been referred to as “a natural energy drink.” While this may be true for most people, it doesn’t benefit those who are already healthy. Similarly, too much alcohol can cause you to become more fatigued and therefore less likely to workout or play sports. At that point, you’ll be defeating the purpose of drinking in the first place. Even so, as always, moderation is the key.
Reduced Sugar Consumption
Last, but not least, let’s discuss how alcohol can reduce your consumption of sugar. As we’ve established, alcohol inhibits the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin and stimulates the appetite-inhibiting hormone leptin. While this may be beneficial in terms of weight loss, it can also lead to reduced sugar consumption. After all, when you drink, you’re likely to drink less sugar-laden beverages and foods. This can help you avoid the typical “sugar crash” that many people experience after drinking. Ultimately, this may promote longer-lasting energy and reduce your chances of becoming overweight or obese.
In conclusion, while alcohol can help you lose weight, it doesn’t do so in a manner that’s good for your health. Instead, it can cause you to become more susceptible to certain diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. That being said, moderate drinking can still be beneficial to your health. It just depends on your body’s needs. For instance, if you’re already at a healthy weight and you just want to enhance your energy levels, then drink alcohol. However, if you’re trying to lose weight, then it’s best to avoid the stuff altogether. That is, at least, until you’ve established a healthy diet and exercise regimen.