Alcohol and you

I know. Not a popular topic, but hear me out.

In the news today comes the report that 4 standard drinks per day classifies you as a binge drinker (at least in Australia). That equates to four pots of beer or only three glasses of wine. Not much really. Even if you have 4 standard drinks on one day of the week you are deemed to have binged! Perhaps a little stringent.

But how else does alcohol effect you, especially if you are looking to lose weight, or manage your blood sugar levels.

For one, alcohol usually comes loaded with calories. Wine (a grape based drink) is loaded with carbohydrates, beer (a grain based drink) is loaded with carbohydrates, spirits such as whisky (also a grain based drink) is loaded with carbohydrates. Alcohol itself is loaded with calories.

Carbohydrates typically contain 4 calories per gram (the same as protein), alcohol typically contains 7 calories per gram (close to fat which comes in at 9 calories per gram). So if you have a beer or wine you are calorie loading. That is a lot of low nutrient, good nutrient displacing calorie intake.

Secondly, your body oxidises (or uses) nutrients in a certain order. First it deals with alcohol (especially as it is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine and enters the blood stream quickly). Then it processes carbs and protein. Thirdly it deals with fat. So if you have a meal that contains carbs, fats and proteins (such as lasagna) will sipping a nice red, I can guarantee you that you will store fat. After your body has obtained all its energy needs from the carbs and protein and having had to metabolise the alcohol, it requires no more energy and will store the fat. Simple!

Thirdly, and here is a bit of a conspiracy theory, (restaurateurs take note) you can get someone to eat more by offering a drink first, a common practice in every restaurant. Being carb heavy, the alcoholic drink will raise blood sugar levels. Your pancreas will then release insulin to deal with the blood sugars. The insulin will reduce your blood sugars dramatically and you will experience hypoglycaemia. This will make you feel even more hungry than when you entered the restaurant.

Finally, as with any carbs, alcoholic drinks will cause your blood sugar to rise. With rising blood sugars you will experience rising blood insulin and rising blood insulin will restrict your body's ability to access fat as an energy source, hence more weight gain.

So, although 4 alcoholic drinks in any one session may now be deemed a binge, any alcoholic drinks need to be factored into your healthy eating plan, your weight loss program and your diabetes management plan.

Cheers


Steve

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