Alcohol and weight loss

Have any of you read or heard of some recent research that strongly suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is not associated with weight gain, but rather weight loss (among women anyway)?  One theory is that alcohol has been shown to substantially raise the metabolism in women for up to 95 minutes after consumption, making up for the added calories of the alcoholic beverage. The following link is a summary of findings. Each citation has an accompanying research article that I found fascinating. Maybe I will have a second glass of wine after all...

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Alcoholcalor iesandweight.html

 Everything I have read states the opposite; alcohol makes it difficult to lose weight. I don't have the studies because I am lazy, but I have seen a few that talk about how your body has to process the alcohol and puts everything else on hold (fat loss, muscle gain) while it's doing so

Ok and that study talks about ONE drink for a woman. If I'm having one, I'm having four. I have no self control!

It's a nice idea and a great excuse for all the boozers out there.   However, speaking as someone that used to have a glass or two (or three) of wine at home regularly I can tell you that cutting it right back to a glass or two a week really helped me to lose weight.  It's not just the calories or the effect or the metabolism... it's the loss of willpower and accompanying munchies that make things worse than they could be.  I'm sure others will confirm that.

You sure it's the alcohol that raises metabolism, and not just all the dancing on tables people sometimes do when they're good and lit?

I think it's more that people go out drinking instead of eating.

I know keeping drinking (not a lot: but one/two small glasses of wine almost every night) has probably not helped me lose weight fast, but I've still lost about 50lb, steadily. I factored the calories in, of course... I am just an awful wino and whenever I cook something beautiful (= every night) I feel like I need to be rewarded with wine!

*hangs head*

Original Post by raychelc:

You sure it's the alcohol that raises metabolism, and not just all the dancing on tables people sometimes do when they're good and lit?

 

 hahhahaha

Original Post by gi-jane:

It's a nice idea and a great excuse for all the boozers out there.   However, speaking as someone that used to have a glass or two (or three) of wine at home regularly I can tell you that cutting it right back to a glass or two a week really helped me to lose weight.  It's not just the calories or the effect or the metabolism... it's the loss of willpower and accompanying munchies that make things worse than they could be.  I'm sure others will confirm that.

 absolutely....after the second drink it's harder to care, and after another one I can't focus long enough to count calories anyway.

It seems to be the case that in practice people who binge drink regularly don't sem to put on weight or as much weight as they should in theory when you add up the calories.

I read somewhere that its not that the alcohol raises your metabolism but that after a heavy nights drinking your body has to work really hard to repair the damage done, which uses up a load of calories, when your to the point of having a bad hangover.

I know for a fact that I eat less when I drink (I am an opposite to most I know) ... but I am also more likely to go back for a 2nd (3rd... etc) drink as well.

However my binge drinking this past weekend resulted in zero ill effects on my weight. In fact I am losing weight like mad this week. Consequence? or SCIENCE???

I won't pretend the weekend drinking and the weight loss this week are connected though. because they aren't. because pretending they are would be bad for me long term. haha.

But perhaps I won't feel AS bad with my glass of wine on occasion. It's helping my weight loss afterall! Science says so. (I will admit I never did feel that bad about a glass of wine - its usually the subsequent ones that require the guilt trip)

I like studies that I can get behind and understand and support! LIke this one: "Women More Attracted to Men in Expensive Cars"

I eat better....work out harder....and live better when not drinking. More of a behavior issue then a science issue. at least for me that is.

Perfect topic for me!  I am somewhat of a practicing alcoholic, and guess what?  If I did not drink anything since the first of this year I would weigh 9 pounds less!  But I am weak, and stupid, so I imbibe from time to time.  If you drink, the calories will go into your fat mass - pure and simple.  It's calories and makes you gain weight just like you eating the same calorie content of sugar.  When I stop drinking and maintain my diet, I am able to lose weight much easier.  Keep a  log of what you drink and how many calories that represents - I have separate column on my spread sheet that makes me painfully aware of what this is doing to my weight, not to mention my liver.  Another problem with alcohol: when you get toasted, you have little control over your eating habits and will probably go all out if confronted with something like a buffet. 

In short, alcohol is a killer when trying to lose weight, and the calories you get from alcohol is displacing calories that could be providing you with nutrients.

Now if only I could practice what I preach - that cold beer tonight looks really good! 

I have not heard of that, but last year when I lost quite a bit of weight (about 30 pounds - I am up 10 because of anatomy and physiology), I drank about one night a week and still had not trouble losing weight.  I think as long as you don't drink every night it is possible to loose weight.  Everything in moderation!!!!

I am now reading this thread while drinking a lovely glass of Cab

I would say, try a personal experiment.  Keep a food journal and eat EXACTLY the same thing for two weeks, one week having nothing to drink and the following week having whatever you're used to drinking.  Weigh yourself at the same time each week.  Actually, try to do everything the same those two weeks, including exercise.  That might give you your answer.

Fascinating subject--if you're into drinking that is.

Momshome, you are correct--the proof is in the pudding. I recommend using the Food Log on CC, logging your wine or spirits, and see if extra munching occurs after drinking. Sometimes it does for me, even after 1 drink, but most times not.

Xavier, junkies don't gain weight either. Alcoholism is a disease. Oh, yeah, crazypdg, it's not about will-power, it's about choosing to recover or not making that choice--one day at a time.

I don't drink every day because even 1 drink a day over a few weeks depresses me. It's a chemical thing & alcohol is a depressant. But I do enjoy the occasional drink, usually before my healthy dinner. La chaim!

Original Post by jef9up:

However my binge drinking this past weekend resulted in zero ill effects on my weight. In fact I am losing weight like mad this week. Consequence? or SCIENCE??? 

heheh I weighed the same after my weekend pastry/cake/candy binge, and I too wouldn't jump to the conclusion that chocolate-stuffed and -covered croissants aid weight loss. Unless it was that glass of wine I had too...