How Alcohol Can Affect Weight Loss
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of stress and anxiety for many and the reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism has increased as well. Alcohol sales have surged during the pandemic, and we’ve been having more conversations about alcohol with our clients than ever before.
Social isolation is known to have a significant psychological impact, potentially triggering alcohol misuse in adults. However, alcohol plays a large role in weight management and can impede weight loss.
Firstly, alcoholic drinks provide your body with calories but contain very little nutrients.
When alcohol is consumed, it becomes the body’s primary fuel source and is burned first, even before glucose from carbohydrates and lipids from fats. When your body is using alcohol as a primary source of energy, the excess glucose and lipids result in adipose tissue, or fat.
Excess alcohol consumption can also damage your liver and affect the way your body metabolizes and stores carbohydrates and fats. Changes in the way your body stores energy from food can make it very difficult to lose weight.
Alcohol intake can also impair your digestion and can impact the absorption of important nutrients. In addition, drinking alcohol in excess can affect your judgement and often leads to overeating especially unhealthy foods.
Drinking alcohol can also impact your sleep. While you may fall asleep easier and faster, the quality of your deep sleep and REM sleep is affected. When you don’t get adequate, restorative sleep, you will likely experience increased cravings for unhealthy foods throughout the next day.
The coaches at Cōpare encourage and help you replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones. They will equip you with the tools and provide suggestions for reducing your alcohol consumption. Regular exercise, getting good sleep, and eating nutritious foods are all great ways to help manage stress during the pandemic.
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