Alcohol Consumption Can Lead to Weight Gain, Obesity

In addition to a myriad of health problems, excessive alcohol consumption can also result in weight gain and in many cases, obesity.

A lot of people are not aware that 1oz of alcohol can actually contain as much calories as one full glass of milk or a baked potato. But the problem does not only lie in the calorie content of alcohol. It has been established by several studies that alcohol can increase a person’s appetite and also decrease fat burning activities of the body.

From a scientific point of view, alcohol is broken down into acetate, a substance which in high amounts can actually put a stop to fat burn and fat loss. Instead of utilizing fat, your body will use acetate as source of energy, resulting to accumulation of reserve fat.

On the other hand, one Canadian research revealed that drinking an alcoholic beverage before each meal will surely increase intake of calorie compared to consuming a carbohydrate-based beverage. Another study conducted by Denmark researchers showed a group of men will likely to eat more when their meals were served with either wine or beer.

Aside from these, a person’s testosterone levels are decreased significantly with regular alcohol consumption. Testosterone actually plays a major role in muscle building and weight loss.

In young adults, there have been studies linking alcohol drinking to depression and obesity. In a study released by the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, it was revealed that women, who have drinking problems by the age of 24 years old, are likely to be obese four times more by the time they turn 27. Women who are obese by 27, on the other hand, are two times more likely to be depressed by the time they reach 30.

Obesity is one of the leading causes of serious diseases like diabetes, stroke and hypertension in the world. In Canada, about 22 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 34 years consume at least 5 drinks in a single occasion, at least 12 times annually.

Again, the key to avoiding unhealthy weight gain and obesity is moderation. You can always refer to the maximum alcohol consumption guideline proposed by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health and University of Toronto. By following such guideline, you can establish a healthier lifestyle and prevent yourself from succumbing into alcohol dependence and alcoholism. Alcohol treatment programs are available in Alberta for you.

^{References:
http://www.canada.com/health/young+women+obesity+alcohol+abuse+depression+linked+Study/2043537/story.html
http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/alcohol.htm}