Calories Count

Even a moderate amount of drinking, say experts, substantially increases the daily caloric intake. In order to successfully meet fitness goals, it is necessary to burn more calories than are consumed. The effect alcohol has upon the body is that it reduces the amount of fat burned for energy. Of the alcoholic calories one consumes, less than 5 percent are converted into fat. Instead, alcohol is converted into acetate. Acetate is a toxin that causes nausea, headaches and fatigue. Since the body feeds off of what is consumed, when acetate is present, the body burns the acetate instead of the fat. In essence, acetate hinders weight loss.

Moreover, while drinking alcohol, many people often associate alcholol with food consumption. This is due to the fact that alcohol increases insulin levels, which trigger a hypoglycemic state in which sugar and processed food cravings are observed, As the majority of heavy drinking occurs in the evening, eating late at night makes it difficult for the body to digest and burn fat. Continue reading →