However, vodka can also be made from apples, grapes, berries, and plums. «If somebody is getting hungover the next day, the chances of them waking up and having a healthy lifestyle [are slim],» Simon says. «If you’re trying to lose weight, what you really want to happen is you want fat burning to be turned on as much as possible,» Wyatt says. «Beer belly» refers to that protruding stomach some men carry around. But you don’t have to be male or drink beer in order to gain weight from alcohol.

Lower sugar content

It affects protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. This interference can result in less effective workouts and slower progress in fitness goals. Alcohol can cause puffiness in the face and inflammation in the digestive tract. Bloating may be worse when alcohol is combined with sugary and carbonated mixers. “Excessive alcohol consumption can cause nerve damage and irreversible forms of dementia,” Dr. Sengupta warns. Your body breaks alcohol down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which damages your DNA.

Is there any way I can still enjoy a drink and not worry about gaining weight?

Though Mounjaro and Ozempic are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, one 2022 narrative review suggested that individuals living with type 2 diabetes who take these drugs may see less weight loss. Ali notes that these drugs certainly have a high success rate for aiding with weight loss, primarily because of their ability to slow stomach emptying, helping people feel fuller longer. If you can you gain weight from vodka haven’t been adding watercress to your freshly tossed salads, you’ve seriously been missing out! One cup of chopped watercress has only four calories and provides a whole host of nutrients, such as 20 milligrams of phosphorous, 112 milligrams of potassium, and 41 milligrams of calcium. Spaghetti is a much healthier alternative to traditional noodles when you’re whipping up your go-to pasta dishes.

Myth: Taking a GLP-1 drug guarantees significant weight loss

A modest increase in weight of one kilogram over a 10 week period seems insignificant but over five years this could result in up to 26 kg of weight gain if no compensation takes place. A summary of the studies examined in this article, organized by the trend between alcohol and weight gain/obesity can be found in Table 1. Additionally, drinking alcohol negatively impacts your metabolism and body’s ability to burn fat, contributing to weight gain. Consuming alcohol also makes you hungrier for high fat, high sodium food while impeding your judgment, which further contributes to poor food choices. Alcohol consumption causes increased levels of triglycerides in the blood, which can also contribute to weight gain.

Glickman emphasizes that resistance training is especially critical for these efforts. At one point, she stopped taking the drug altogether, and all of the hunger cravings and food noise semaglutide had suppressed came back to the surface. She didn’t gain any weight that month, she said, but the internal chatter around food was enough to make her start back on a lower dose, geared toward weight maintenance. A 2022 https://ecosoberhouse.com/halfway-house/ study found that most people regain the weight they lost within a year of stopping Ozempic. Ann, who is 5-foot-7, started out at 176 pounds (considered overweight) and now weighs in at 151, which is considered a normal weight by BMI measurements. She’s still on Ozempic but continues to struggle with the shame around the idea she’s potentially taking the drug away from someone else who might desperately need it.

• Additionally, alcohol can alter hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, further contributing to overeating.
• Your body will feel fuller and you’ll boost your metabolism by eating high protein foods.
• George Clooney and his brand Casamigos makes some of the world’s best tequila, and we’re particularly fond of the company’s silver tequila.
• Alcoholic beverages are often high in empty calories, with about seven per gram.
• Alcohol is considered a source of “empty calories.” Unlike foods that contain essential nutrients, alcohol adds calories to your diet without providing nutritional benefits.

Bottom Line on Alcohol and Weight Gain

• This social expectation can lead to regular and excessive drinking, contributing to weight gain over time.
• Drinking vodka may not directly make you fat, but it can contribute to long-term weight gain when consumed excessively.
• Unlike protein-rich foods or complex carbohydrates, there is minimal nutritional value to be derived from alcohol consumption.
• Alcohol consumption can stimulate appetite and lead to increased food intake.
• Several studies suggest that consuming alcohol before or during a meal does not influence the amount of food eaten in that meal, despite increasing the energy density of the meal [5].

If you drink vodka every night, your tolerance may increase

• All of these calories mean that frequent drinking can lead to relatively easy weight gain.
• There are almost 155 calories in one 12-ounce can of beer, and 125 calories in a 5-ounce glass of red wine.
• Instead, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that you drink in moderation.
• For example, a piña colada has as many as 500 calories per seven-ounce serving.
• And just recently, CNN reported that some Ozempic users have developed stomach paralysis due to the drug’s ability to slow down the passage of food through the digestive tract.