How Alcohol Intake Affects Abdominal Fat

By Bamidele Atiba, Aston Medical School, United Kingdom

Alcohol contains a lot of calories. When you drink beer, wine, or spirits, you are adding extra calories to your diet. If these calories exceed what your body needs, they can lead to weight gain.

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Also, when you consume alcohol, your body prioritizes processing it over other nutrients. This means that while your body is busy breaking down alcohol, it tends to store more of the fats and sugars from your food as fat, especially around your abdomen. Hence the pot belle that comes with long standing alcohol intake.

Further, alcohol can affect hormones that regulate appetite and fat storage. It may increase levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) which is linked to increased fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.

Many studies suggest that alcohol, especially beer (sometimes called “beer belly”), is associated with increased abdominal fat. This kind of fat is known as visceral fat, which is the fat stored around your organs and is particularly harmful to health.

Effects On The Liver:

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The liver is the primary organ that processes alcohol. It breaks it down to remove it from your system. However, excessive drinking can overload the liver, leading to damage. When the liver processes too much alcohol, it can start to accumulate fat. This condition is known as fatty liver disease. If not addressed, it can progress to more serious liver conditions like alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Regular heavy drinking can cause inflammation in the liver, which is harmful and can lead to scarring (cirrhosis). This can significantly impair liver function, affecting your body’s ability to detoxify and process other nutrients.

In moderation, occasional drinking may not have significant effects, but heavy or regular consumption can lead to these health issues. It’s essential to maintain a balanced approach to alcohol consumption for overall health.

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