One drink contains approximately 4 calories per gram, slightly less than the 9 calories per gram found in fat. This means alcohol can be stored as fat and cause weight gain over time. The effect of alcohol on fat burning can also contribute to weight gain, as alcohol can reduce the body’s ability to burn fat as fuel. Also, don’t negate any of the good benefits of vodka by mixing it with sugary drinks, which can raise your bad cholesterol and your triglycerides, according to Healthline. Instead, use low-calorie mixers or add herbs and a kiss of fresh fruit to enhance your drink’s flavor.
- “A number of processes slow down,” he shared in an interview with the BBC’s Newsbeat.
- If you’re watching your waistline, you can switch to diet vodka and still enjoy your favorite drink without adding as many extra calories to your daily consumption.
- You could blame your ancestors for this as they needed a way to store energy if they didn’t always have food.
How to Drink Alcohol and Still Lose Weight
“One study suggests that vodka and wine may help improve cholesterol levels by boosting the HDL cholesterol (also can drinking vodka make you gain weight referred to as ‘good cholesterol’) in the blood,” she told The List. “Another study found that both red wine and vodka may help cardiovascular health by increasing blood vessel formation.” Eat more protein when consuming alcohol instead of carbs and sugars.
Alcohol Disrupts Digestive System
If you’re talking about straight vodka, then no, it Oxford House won’t make you fat on its own. However, if you’re talking about flavored or infused vodkas that come pre-mixed with juices and other added sugars and sweeteners, that can lead to weight gain. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can develop if high blood sugar is uncontrolled. DKA is a severe health condition in which the body breaks down fat for energy.
You can drink and diet – it just takes longer
- That can make it easy to inadvertently consume more calories than you need.
- Thus, accounting for both sides of the energy balance equation (intake, expenditure and lifestyle habits) is crucial to evaluate adequately the association between alcohol intake and obesity.
- Have you noticed that the longer you drink vodka every night, the more alcohol you need to get to the same level of intoxication?
- You’re stressed, so you’ll likely crave junk food to feel better again.
- Alcohol can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing gastritis, which can cause abdominal bloating.
This is slightly less than a similar-sized glass of wine, which usually has 125 calories per serving. Vodka also has no carbohydrates, making it a preferred option for many people trying to cut out those calories. Drinking pre-mixed spirits will expose you to less alcohol overall and, as such, fewer toxins in the body.
How Alcohol Affects Weight
You’ll also have higher hunger and less satiety after a night of drinking and poor sleep. Of course, this makes it easier to eat bad foods and even more alcoholic drinks. Many people think that drinking makes them gain pounds, but that’s not always the case.
- Most notably, drinking alcoholic beverages stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that make you feel pleasure and dull pain.
- All types of alcohol contain calories, and the calories found in vodka are no exception.
But remember that these drinks are still high in sugar, so it might not be the best choice if you’re trying to lose weight. The good news is that some diet options for vodka are much lower in calories than regular vodka. A 1.5-ounce serving of diet vodka contains just 65 calories, while a 1.5-ounce serving of regular vodka contains 97 calories — a difference of 32 calories per serving.
If you drink vodka every night in large quantities, you might become dependent on alcohol
Most of us are probably aware that we prefer stodgy foods after drinking and are less inclined to be active the next day, but it can be pretty surprising when the numbers are added up. Otherwise, keep reading as we look at the three ways alcohol can lead to higher body weight, waistline, and health problems in the long term. At Second Nature, you’re provided with a registered nutritionist or dietitian who can support you manage your alcohol intake to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
