Does Heavy Alcohol Intake Help You Lose Weight?

Does Heavy Alcohol Intake Help You Lose Weight?

While drinking moderate amounts of red wine and other alcoholic beverages has been linked With potential health benefits, there is a lack of evidence to suggest that alcohol in any form, including strong liquors such as tequila or vodka, helps you lose weight. Mayo Clinic com reports that alcohol actually hinders weight loss and health by encouraging the accumulation of visceral fat; a type of deadly fat that raises the chances of having a stroke. Know the truth about alcohol and its effects on your health to protect your future.

Strong alcohol and calories

Strong liquor or hard alcohol, usually applies to distilled beverages that contain at least 35 percent alcohol, including vodka, brandy, rum, tequila, and gin. While some online bloggers speculate that you will lose weight by drinking strong alcohol, since a drink of tequila contains fewer calories than a 12 oz. Beer, there is no evidence to support the statements. A single ounce of vodka, whiskey or other strong drinks usually contain between 64 and 80 calories. Consuming three 1 oz. Drinks in one night can add up to 320 calories to your daily intake. The amount increases if the drinks contain more than one ounce or are mixed with an orange juice, tonic or ginger ale.

Friend of fats

Consumption of any alcoholic beverage increases the likelihood of a buildup of visceral fat or belly fat, according to Mayo Clinic. com. Visceral fat inside your abdominal area increases your chances of cancer and heart disease. The dangerous buildup is caused by the interference of alcohol with the body's ability to burn fat, which is key to successful weight loss. Although the liver metabolizes fat normally when alcohol is not present, a person who drinks rum, whiskey or even beer, triggers a process called fat preservation. The process forces the body to use the calories of alcohol instead of calories from fat.

Recommended moderation

The safest method to treat alcohol is to drink in moderation, to escape the risks of excessive consumption; including suicide, fetal alcohol syndrome, cirrhosis and heart failure. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2010 allow no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. A drink of hard distilled alcohol is considered 1, 5 oz. Of liquid, while a glass of wine has 5 oz. And a beer is considered 12 oz.

Proven Weight Loss

Avoid the proven risks of drinking hard alcohol by following some effective and safe weight loss methods. Stay with drinks such as water, diet soda or tea without sugar, as well as low-fat milk.Prepare your meals around vegetables, fruits and whole grains and ask your doctor about a safe exercise plan. The Department of Health and Human Services suggests 2, 5 hours a week of moderate aerobic exercise, such as swimming or dancing, as well as strength training with weights.

Video Tutorial: How Alcohol Affects the Liver.

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