A smallish (150 ml) glass of wine has around 120 “empty” calories and a small (300ml) bottle of beer 150 – about the same as a regular can of Coke. Given that and the fact that alcohol often acts as an appetite stimulant, it’s hardly surprising it has a bad press from dieting experts.
But most studies show no association at all between alcohol intake and body weight. One recent investigation in the US, for example, showed that moderate alcohol consumption made no contribution to weight gain; another found that drinkers had a more stable weight over a 10-year period than non-drinkers. Other studies have consistently failed to show any convincing association between alcohol intake and weight gain in men or women. There is even some evidence to suggest that moderate alcohol intake could help with weight loss. In one recent trial, dieters who drank white wine in moderation lost 26% more weight than those in a control group who drank grape juice.
What about alcohol and fat distribution? A larger waist measurement is regarded as a greater risk to long-term health than fat on the hips and thighs. But even here alcohol doesn’t appear to be implicated. A large Danish study found that frequent, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk for an increase in waist measurement over a period of 5-years. Drinking preference (wine, beer etc) made no difference. Another US survey of more than 8,000 individuals found that regular alcohol consumption was associated not only with a lower waist measurement, but also a lower risk for diabetes and heart disease in both men and women.
So how do we explain the paradox of a high calorie drink, being associated with a lower risk for obesity and a lower waist measurement? The answer to this is not entirely clear, but there are some clues. Firstly, there is evidence to suggest that energy (calories) from alcohol is not used as efficiently as calories from food or other non-alcoholic drinks. It seems that some of the calories from alcohol are converted into heat (the thermogenic effect) rather than body fat. Other studies have found that regular drinkers have higher levels of physical activity and also consume fewer sugary foods than non-drinkers.
Whatever the reason, it seems clear that regular, moderate alcohol intake – especially when combined with a physically active lifestyle – is unlikely to increase your waistline and may well improve your long-term health.
A version of this article appears in the May issue of Reader’s Digest where Dr Ashton now has a regular column.
Dr David Ashton
17th May 2011
