Does beer really make you fatter than other alcohol?
Does beer really make you fatter than other alcohol? For all beer fans, there is a reassurance right from the start: No, beer does not per se make you fatter than other types of alcohol. However, beer is often drunk in larger quantities than wine etc., which not only increases the calorie content, but also the risk of visceral belly fat.
Calorie comparison: beer vs. other drinks
An average beer (0.5 l) has about 200 calories. A glass of wine (0.2 l) contains around 160 calories. White wine generally has slightly fewer calories than red wine. However, studies show that moderate red wine consumption can have health benefits, such as a lower risk of coronary heart disease.
What about the hard stuff? A shot of whiskey (30 ml) has about 70 calories. So at first glance, beer seems to be higher in calories when you consider the amount.
A few beers in the evening quickly add up to a considerable number of calories: two large beers with a meal add around 400 calories. For comparison: water contains 0 calories.
In addition, beer can stimulate the appetite – which means you are more likely to eat something fatty and indulge in salty snacks.
Say goodbye to your beer belly by motivating yourself to exercise permanently
The evil belly fat: Is too much beer to blame?
Yes and no. Part of the problem is that the calorie content of alcoholic beverages is often underestimated, which means that people quickly and unconsciously exceed their calorie needs.
It doesn’t matter what you drink: alcohol is alcohol, regardless of the form. The fact is: alcohol provides 7 kilocalories per gram. For comparison: one gram of carbohydrates or protein contains 4 kilocalories, and one gram of fat contains 9 kilocalories.
At the same time, alcohol inhibits the breakdown of fat in the body, which can lead to the accumulation of fat, especially in the abdominal area. So-called visceral fat, i.e. the fat that surrounds the internal organs such as the liver and intestines, is particularly problematic, as studies have shown that it poses many health risks.
Visceral abdominal fat:
- releases inflammatory messenger substances
- has a negative effect on hormone levels
- increases the risk of lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular diseases
- is associated with increased cholesterol levels
- promotes the development of insulin resistance and much more
Beer or wine: which is the better choice?
A new UK study has investigated the influence of various alcoholic beverages on the amount of unhealthy belly fat. There have been many contradictory studies on this in the past.
The result of the latest study: beer, wine and spirits affect body fat differently.
The study showed that both too much liquor and high beer consumption were associated with increased visceral body fat. At the same time, higher beer consumption was associated with less muscle mass and an unbalanced diet (little fruit, lots of grains).
This does not apply to red and white wine fans: test subjects who liked to drink red wine were less likely to be overweight, and white wine fans had higher bone density. The researchers believe the cause may be the polyphenols it contains, such as resveratrol, which contains secondary plant substances with health benefits.
By the way: Poor sleep can also be a cause of a beer belly – in addition to a lack of exercise and a diet that is too high in calories. A US study found that even less than eight hours of sleep per night has a negative effect on visceral fat mass and thus increases the risk of a beer belly.
Conclusion: Beer in moderation rather than in large quantities
If you occasionally enjoy a beer after work, are physically active and eat a balanced diet, you don’t have to worry about getting a beer belly. However, beer is not a good thirst quencher on hot days – unless you choose the non-alcoholic version.