How giving up alcohol can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Since giving up alcohol, I’ve noticed a remarkable change in my body. My metabolism is no longer being disrupted by alcohol, which means my body isn’t experiencing the weight gain often linked to drinking. Without the added strain, my body doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a steady metabolic rate.
What is metabolism?
Metabolism refers to the complex chemical reactions that occur within the body every day to produce energy. When you drink alcohol, your body diverts energy to break it down, leaving fewer resources for other essential processes.
Alcohol and Metabolism
When alcohol enters your system, your liver breaks it down into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde. This is then converted into acetate, which is harmless, and further broken down into water and carbon dioxide. It’s an energy-intensive process, and when you’re drinking regularly, your body is working overtime.
Alcohol not only distracts your metabolism but also slows it down. As your body prioritizes breaking down ethanol, other vital chemical reactions—such as fat-burning—are put on hold. In fact, nearly half of your body’s energy is redirected to eliminate alcohol, reducing overall metabolic efficiency.
The Timeline for Alcohol Processing
It can take up to seven hours for your body to fully process alcohol after your last drink, depending on factors like the amount consumed, your age, and your genetic makeup. The more alcohol you drink, the longer it takes for your body to return to burning fat and performing other metabolic functions.
Alcohol and Weight Gain
Alcohol contributes to weight gain in several ways beyond slowing metabolism:
High Calorie Content
Alcohol is calorie dense. Many people unknowingly consume more calories than they realize. For example:
Red Wine: 119 Calories
White Wine: 165 Calories
Beer - Bitter 180 Calories, Mid 142 Calories
Sweet Cider - 220 Calories
Increased Appetite
Alcohol can also affect your appetite by:
Making you more likely to overeat.
Increasing gut hormones that stimulate hunger.
Interfering with brain signals that tell you when you’re full.
It’s clear that drinking can lead to overeating and poor food choices.
The Bottom Line
Alcohol slows your metabolism and temporarily halts fat-burning processes, which can lead to weight gain—especially around your midsection. Over time, this increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and other health issues. While there’s no immediate way to reset your metabolism, cutting back or quitting alcohol can help repair it and improve your overall health.
Ref: goodrx & menshealth