Beer, the favored drink of men everywhere and often thought to be the bane of their appearance as well. It seems that beer drinkers everywhere adopt that ever so unlovable, undesirable beer belly, especially as they age. But what really causes the beer gut? Does drinking beer or alcohol have anything to do with it? Not all beer drinkers have a beer belly, and some men who never touch beer actually have one. (of course, women are susceptible and sport them too!) So what really causes men to develop the infamous “beer belly?”
Well, it might surprise some, but beer isn’t the only culprit for beer belly. In fact, the true culprit is actually the amount of calories you’re taking in each day. This would explain why those who don’t actually drink have a beer belly and why those that drink an excess amount of beer develop one. Think about it, our bodies need a certain amount of calories a day, the body will use those calories and you won’t gain weight. However, add around 146 calories for a 12 ounce beer (Lieber, 2000) and you’re adding calories to your diet that your body neither needs nor can use. These calories will end up being stored as fat and deposited right on your belly! The average adult drinker gets around 10 percent of his/her total daily calories from an alcoholic beverage. (Lieber, 2000) If you’ve already had a meal you’re just adding more calories your body can’t use. If you’re a heavy drinker you’re probably drinking around ½ of your daily caloric intake.
By this explanation, it is easy to deduce that one can still drink beer or other alcoholic beverages and keep off the beer belly, right? Exactly correct. Researchers in Denmark found that binge drinkers were more likely to be “apple-shaped” than those who drank in moderation and spread out their alcohol consumption throughout the week. (BBC, 2004). Binge drinking is classified as drinking more than eight units of alcohol on a given day for men and more than six units of alcohol on a given day for women. (BBC, 2004). But it can also be thought of as the notion of drinking to get drunk. Those that tend to focus their drinking on getting drunk tend to over drink and thus build up an excess of calories that in turn will build up on their waists making them an apple-shape.
This dreaded apple shape (excess weight on your abdominal region while upper body and lower body are still thin or relatively so) can be extremely detrimental to your health. Professor Gronbeck, of the Denmark research study noted that apple figures are at risk of developing conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. (BBC, 2004). The Mayo Clinic also states that while women are more likely to put on weight in the thighs and hips, men are more at risk for developing the apple figure from gaining weight around the middle. (Jenson, 2006).
Alternatively, Professor Gronbeck also noted that “It seems that the greatest beneficial effect on coronary heart disease is only if you have a regular small alcohol intake.” (BBC, 2004). His statement solidifies that “one glass of wine a day” campaign boasting health benefits from drinking a glass of wine a day. In fact, Professor Gronbeck recommends one to two units a day. (BBC,2004). In drinking in moderation and spreading out consumption of alcohol you’re lowering both your risk for a beer but, and your risk for health complications.
It’s also important to remember that alcohol affects the liver and its functions. Excessive drinking damages the liver and creates a situation in which the liver cannot function correctly. What does this mean for you? Your body is less efficient and cannot process and use fats as well as it used to be able to. Thus, you’ll gain weight a lot easier.
So, if you want to avoid a beer belly together, try limiting your caloric intake. Eat fewer high calorie, high carbohydrate foods, implement regular exercise, and if that beer is contributing to an excess of calories…have only one or save it for another day. Avoid binge drinking as it puts you at the highest risk for liver damage, developing a beer belly, and serious health problems. Drink in moderation and neither your appearance nor your health will be affected. No more blaming your beer belly on your beer, it’ll be time to check the calories in your food consumption.
References:
BBC. (2004). Drink Binges Cause ‘Beer Belly.’ Retrieved April 3, 2007, from BBC News Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4048969.stm
Lieber, C. (2000). What Really Causes Beer Bellies? Retrieved April 3, 2007, from WebMD Website: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/42/1685_50288.htm
Jenson, M. (2006). Belly Fat in Men: What You Need To Know. Retrieved April 3, 2007, from Mayo Clinic Website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/belly-fat/MC00054
