Does beer make you fat? We frequently hear regarding this issue. Certainly, we often meet beer drinkers with a big belly. What we tend to call the beer belly. But is this story true or false?
Are beers really involved in this story? Let’s clear things up once and for all before the next evening with friends!
Therefore, the more beer you drink, the more likely you are to gain weight and get a big belly.
Why does beer make your belly fat?
Beer is a highly coveted beverage at events and celebrations. A tasty mug of beer is a must when you have a craving. But it seems that beer can make your belly fat. If this is true, who knows? All high-calorie foods are fattening if not eaten in moderation. This may also be the case with beer. The answer to this question is undoubtedly related to the components of this much appreciated drink. Explanations!
A significant caloric intake
too many calories in the body causes fat to accumulate. You can imagine that beer has it. She is even higher in calories than a soft drink. However, the nutritional value of beer may vary depending on the type and recipe of manufacture. Below you will find the quantities for a 12 oz (355 ml) serving of classic beer, with an alcohol content of approximately 4%:
- Calories : 153 Kcal
- Alcohol: 14 grammes
- Carbohydrates: 13 grammes
- Proteins: 2 grammes
- Gras : 0 gramme
Beer also contains a certain amount of micronutrients: water, sodium, magnesium, potassium, proteins, etc. But these elements are far from covering daily needs.
It should also be noted that beer can contain 4-6% alcohol. Depending on the type of beer, this content can range from 0.5% to 40%. The higher the alcohol content, the more calories it provides. You are probably wondering why? Well, the reason is simple: alcohol contains regarding 7 calories per gram. Which is a lot more than carbohydrates and proteins, which contain 4 calories per gram. But much less than fat, which has 9 calories per gram. It can therefore be deduced that if beer makes your stomach swell, alcohol is involved!
The degree of alcohol held guilty !
Consuming alcohol can inhibit fat burning. Indeed, our body will always favor the digestion of alcohol to that of other macronutrients such as Fatty substances for example.
and principle, the degradation of alcohol (ethanol) ingested takes place in the liver. The chemical reactions that take place there will produce specific enzymes which will act on the synthesis of fatty acids. This same phenomenon will trigger the accumulation of fatty masses in the organism. And especially at the level of the abdominal belt. This means that if you drink beer frequently, you run the risk of gaining weight.
However, this phenomenon can be avoided by drinking in moderation. According to studies, drinking less than 500 ml of beer does not seem to lead to an increase in abdominal fat. Otherwise, it is possible to gain significant weight in the long term. So, let’s stick to moderation with a capital M!
Beer makes your stomach swell
When you drink beer, your stomach feels full. The explanation is simple: beer encourages the appetite. This is because the hypothalamus is agitated by alcohol. Under the pressure of the beer, this gland transmits a false signal to the the nervous system local and disturbs the regulation system appetite.
On the other hand, we have tendency to drink beer with foods high in fat, gluten, salty or sweet, as an accompaniment. Of course, we take in even more calories at these times in particular. Caloric intake will go 10 to 30% higher than normal. Like what our eating habits play a very important role if we want to avoid gaining weight.
Beer contains phytoestrogens
This drink is flavored with hop. The flowers of this plant give beer its flavor and its taste irresistible. The hop plant is very rich in phytoestrogènes. It is plant compounds which can mimic the action of estrogen, the female sex hormone, once they enter the body.
In women, phytoestrogens are used to rebalance hormones as menopause approaches. In humans, it is said that the hops in beer might cause hormonal changes, including a drop in testosterone levels. This phenomenon promotes weight gain in the abdomen. And by the way, men tend to drink more than women. Which means they can gain weight more easily.
On the other hand, the effects of phytoestrogens on belly fat are still unknown. To this day, no one has yet been able to figure out how these plant compounds act on the weight of men or on their abdominal fat.
What regarding non-alcoholic beer?
The non-alcoholic beer is it still likely to make your belly fat? The answer is yes. Indeed, alcoholic or not, Brewer’s yeast contains carbon dioxide. Reason why small bubbles appear in a glass or a bottle of beer. If you take a large amount of carbon dioxide in your body, it will cause swelling in your stomach, feeling bloated or distended. All the more reason to limit your consumption and not abuse it.
As a reminder : alcohol abuse is dangerous! According to a study published in The Lancet and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the maximum daily dose of beer is between 300 and 450 ml for men and 300 ml for women. It would therefore be preferable not to exceed these guidelines. In effect, drinking more than four drinks at a time may promote the risk of belly fat. It is therefore recommended not to exceed 2 glasses per day… easier said than done!
Other alcoholic beverages like spirits or wine are lower in calories than beer. On the other hand, heavy consumption of any alcoholic beverage puts you at increased risk for belly fat. After all, it’s the quantity and frequency of consumption that affect your waistline. For example, a glass of red wine may be less alcoholic than a glass of whiskey. The higher the proportion of alcohol, the more calories the drink contains. Consumption should therefore be moderate.
Is it dangerous to have a beer belly?
Drinking beer in excess can certainly have adverse effects on our health.
For example, fat accumulation and hormonal imbalances caused by phytoestrogens can increase the risk of disease. The fat around the belly is recognized as the most dangerous type of fat for the health. Scientists call it visceral fat. Visceral fat is a very active metabolism, which means it can disrupt your body’s hormones. Thus, the diseases that can result are numerous: cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, etc.
Studies have also shown that beer consumption is associated with both an increase in waist circumference and body mass. We can therefore deduce that drinking beer does not specifically round your belly. She you generally fattening. People who are already overweight are even more likely to gain weight compared to people of normal weight who drink beer. Therefore, the more beer you drink, the more likely you are to gain weight and get a big belly.
How to deflate your beer belly?
The beer belly certainly does not make the people who wear it proud. She gives a body deformity rather distinguished. However, with determination, there are several ways to get rid of it. For starters, you should go on a diet and exercise a lot more. If you tend to drink heavily or regularly, Consider limiting your alcohol intake. This is the best way if you just can’t stop drinking. Alcohol abuse or heavy drinking are the most to be avoided.
SEE AS WELL : How to drink alcohol without gaining weight?
The diet you follow should be personalized and tailored. Be aware, however, that there is no no miracle diet that will make your beer belly disappear with a simple wave of a magic wand. But try not to eat too much meat and be indulgent with the sugar. Also don’t forget to eat salads, fruits and raw vegetables. Green colored foods are best. These foods are generally low in sodium and fat and do not contain cholesterol. However, they can be very high in dietary fiber, iron, vitamins, antioxidants, citric acid, etc.
To lose belly fat, balanced diet not enough. Must also Practice sports regularly. A few practical exercises for 30 minutes a day are enough. Of course, if you have time to do more, that would be great. Prioritize the cardiovascular exercises high intensity, which will allow you to burn your fat. Exercise doesn’t just make you lose weight, it can improve your overall fitness. In addition, it gives you the joy of living!
To help you, here are the top 6 fat-burning foods that you should include in your diet: eggplant, green tea, lemon, oat bran, apple and pineapple.
Key points to remember regarding this topic
- Consuming beer can lead to weight gain of any kind, including belly fat or visceral fat.
- The more we drink, the more we take the risk of gaining more weight.
- Drinking a beer a day (or less) isn’t supposed to create a beer belly.
- Drinking a lot of beer or drinking regularly increases the risk of accumulating abdominal fat, which can lead to various health problems.
- To avoid gaining weight, you must keep your alcohol consumption within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet and exercise.
- Deflating your beer belly requires willpower, effort and perseverance.
Now that you know all regarding the beer belly, you won’t be swayed by the bla-bla-bla that you often hear. You are well informed! When you go out for a night out with the buddies or if an important event arises, you will know what to do!
