Then, on the other end, caffeine may increase the absorption or effects of other medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin and a medication for Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine can be part of a healthy diet for most people, but too much may pose a danger to your health. The survey also highlighted that the day after passing their tipping point, 50% of people cancel planned physical activity, often replaced with sedentary activities such as watching TV or staying in bed. These numbers are significant; alcohol is a very high-calorie product and provides 7 calories per gram. If you’d like to give us a go, click here to try our weight loss calculator does alcohol make you gain weight to see how much you could lose with Second Nature. Genes can contribute to an individual’s chances of being overweight or obese too.
Champagne or Sparkling Wine (Brut)
Therefore, alcohol consumption within the government guidelines of up to 14 units per week for men and women can provide almost 3,000 extra calories per week if choosing the highest calorie option. Subcutaneous fat is belly fat you can feel if you pinch extra skin and tissue around your middle. Visceral fat is fat that builds up deep within the abdomen in the space around the organs. Too much visceral fat is strongly linked with a higher risk of serious health problems. Many women notice an increase in belly fat as they get older even if they don’t gain weight. This is likely due to a lower level of estrogen because estrogen seems to have an effect on where fat is located in the body.

How Does Alcohol Cause Weight Gain & How Can I Stop it?
In the study, researchers found that the men who had 20 g of vodka ate 11% more food than the men who only had orange juice. They also realized that Alcoholics Anonymous the men who had alcohol preferred high fat savoury foods and were 24% more likely to reach for these foods instead of healthier options (2). AUD often results in consuming larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects, leading to greater alcohol intake over time, as well as more weight gain.
![]()
Advancing public health

Research shows that binge drinking is closely linked to overeating.5 The influence of alcohol on food choices was also well demonstrated in an animal study. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Health from people when they were in their late teens and early twenties and again when they were in their mid- to late-twenties and early thirties. If someone was already obese, they had a 35 percent higher risk of staying that way and gaining more weight. Observational studies have linked high diet-soda intake with weight gain and cardiometabolic issues (heart, blood sugar, hypertension). Moderate alcohol consumption within recommended limits isn’t inherently fattening, but regular overconsumption easily leads to calorie surplus, disrupted metabolism, and poor food choices. Many alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails, contain added sugars and syrups that can further increase calorie intake.