THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS

Drinking alcohol is a favorite pastime for many, both socially and culturally. Some studies suggest that alcohol may have health benefits. Red wine, for example, can lower your risk of heart disease. But alcohol also plays a big role in weight management.

Here are eight ways alcohol can stop your weight loss.

1. Alcohol is often "empty" calories

Alcoholic beverages are often called "empty" calories. This means that they provide your body with calories but contain very little nutrients. A night out with several drinks can lead to a few hundred extra calories being consumed. Beverages that have fruit juice or soda contain even more calories.

2. Alcohol is used as a primary fuel source

When alcohol is consumed, it is first burned as a fuel source before the body uses anything else. When your body uses alcohol as a primary energy source, the excess glucose and lipids end up as fat.

3. Alcohol can affect your organs

The primary function of the liver is to act as a "filter" for all foreign substances that enter the body, but it also plays a role in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to an alcoholic fatty liver. This condition can damage your liver and affect how your body metabolizes and stores carbohydrates and fats.

4. Alcohol can contribute to excess belly fat

The "beer gut" is not just a myth. Foods with very simple sugars, such as those found in sweets, soft drinks and even beer, also contain a lot of calories. Extra calories end up as fat in the body. Consuming foods and beverages high in sugar can quickly lead to weight gain. We can not choose where all the extra weight ends up but the body tends to accumulate fat in the abdomen.

5. Alcohol affects increases the desire to eat

Even the most controlled person has a hard time fighting the urge to eat more food when they are drunk. A new study suggests that alcohol can actually trigger hunger signals in the brain, leading to an increased desire to eat more food.

6. Alcohol and sex hormones

It has long been known that alcohol intake can affect the levels of hormones in the body, especially testosterone. Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a role in many metabolic processes, including muscle formation and fat burning.

Low testosterone levels can lead to metabolic syndrome in men, which is usually:

- High cholesterol

- Hypertension

- High blood sugar levels

- High body mass index

- In addition, lower testosterone levels can affect sleep quality, especially in older men.

7. Alcohol can adversely affect your sleep

Alcohol can lead to increased waking periods during sleep cycles. Lack of sleep, whether lack of sleep or impaired sleep, can lead to an imbalance in hormones related to hunger and energy storage.

8. Alcohol affects digestion and nutrient uptake

Consumption of alcoholic beverages can also inhibit proper digestive function. Alcohol can cause stress on the stomach and intestines. Alcohol intake at all levels can lead to impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients. This can greatly affect the metabolism of organs that play a role in weight management.

Should one then abstain completely from alcohol? Here I think that the Swedish "right" model fits well. Drink in moderation. I can treat myself to wine for festive occasions. But I try to be aware of its pros and cons just like any other food. A glass (12.5 cl) of red wine contains 90 calories, 0 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrates. Boring to look at, yes maybe. But for me it works. Find what works for you!

The Kickstart Team