Alcohol Abuse Makes Us Fat

It is a known fact that alcohol affects our good appearance and perfect shape. Regular use, even in small amounts, prevents weight loss and maintaining a healthy diet. At the same time, alcoholic beverages fail the positive effect of sports and regular exercise. To maintain a healthy weight, it is extremely important to consume a moderate amount of alcohol, and as rarely as possible.

Calculating calories and limiting food is not a guarantee of a healthy and low-calorie diet. Often, when calculating the calories consumed, the fact is missed that spirits are also very high in calories. One gram of alcohol contains 7 kcal, and one drink concentrate (50 ml) - about 100-120 kcal. The problem with the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not so much in the amount of calories, but in the way they act on the metabolism, as these are the so-called. empty calories. 

Numerous experimental studies have shown that about 80% of alcohol intake is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth and stomach, and the remaining 20% ​​reaches the small intestine. 

Only five percent of the amount of alcohol tested is directly converted to fat. Most of it is processed in the liver, breaking down first to acetaldehyde and then to the substance acetate. Acetate has a negative effect on the body's metabolism. This is due to the fact that acetate stops the breakdown of fats and slows down the metabolism and thus the consumption of calories. Metabolism of alcohol is associated with increased needs for vitamins, especially group B and vitamin C, as well as inefficient absorption of protein from food.

With regular constant consumption, alcohol damages the vitamin and potassium balance of the body, the organs of digestion and metabolism, mainly the liver, pancreas and stomach; heart and blood vessels; mucous membranes, on which alcohol has a strong irritating effect and contributes to inflammation (gastritis); the skin due to dilation of its blood vessels; sexual desire and potency; alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the throat and mouth, larynx, esophagus and pancreas. 

Nutritionists remind another fact, unpleasant for dieters - alcohol intake leads to exacerbation of appetite. The large amount of food consumed after drinking further increases caloric intake, and the inability to burn it is associated with the transformation of calories into fat, and in the depots - where we least want. Acetate, in turn, stops the breakdown of fats and the risk of gaining weight increases.

Regular consumption of alcohol also has negative effects on the health of the body and good physical shape:

• Provides the body with only empty calories that are unnecessary.
• It slows down the metabolism, negatively affecting the Krebs cycle.
• Reduces protein absorption by 20%.
• Decreases nervous activity.
• Dehydrates cells. The more dehydrated the cell, the harder it is for the muscle to grow.
• Blocks the absorption of elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium.
• Decreases testosterone levels and increases estrogen levels.
• Prevents fat burning.
• It slows down the body's reactions.
• Interferes with the coordination of the body.
• Decreases physical strength.
• It affects the cardiovascular system - it raises blood pressure - the heart works harder to "pump" blood into the body.
• It depletes vitamins from the body faster. The consequences of this are numerous.

Although alcohol is absorbed quickly by the body, it is absorbed relatively slowly and can affect up to 48 hours after ingestion. However, it has an indirect effect on the body for a longer period of time - it reduces the quality of training and recovery.

NCPHP experts have made recommendations related to healthy eating, and one of them states that the consumption of alcoholic beverages should be in moderation, consistent with physical and health status.

It is clear that if we want to get rid of unnecessary pounds, we must minimize the consumption of alcoholic beverages. But this does not mean that we should completely give up alcohol, because it also has some positive biological effects. Moderate consumption of red wine speeds up the basic metabolism, has an antioxidant effect.

Studies show that 10 to 20 percent of the calories consumed by older people are of alcoholic origin. The conclusion of experts is that regular alcohol abuse makes us fat.