Alcohol, Weight Gain & Your Health: What Science Says

17 Jul 2025

Alcohol consumption is deeply embedded in social culture worldwide, yet many are often seen to indulge as though it does…

Ṣaléwá AJILA

(M.Sc)

Drinking and Weight

Alcohol consumption is deeply embedded in social culture worldwide, yet many are often seen to indulge as though it does not possess multiple harmful effects. One frequently overlooked consequence of excessive alcohol consumption is its potential contribution to weight gain and its related health risks. This post examines the relationship between alcohol consumption, body weight, and other broader metabolic health outcomes.

Often referred to as “empty calories,” alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, which is nearly as dense as fat (9 calories per gram) and is devoid of any nutritional value, and may cause alterations to the metabolic state. Alcohol is recognized by the body as a toxin and it prioritizes its breakdown and elimination, causing the liver to go into overdrive. This process takes precedence over other metabolic functions, including fat burning. This “metabolic distraction” can last for several hours, causing the system to most likely store fat consumed during or after drinking rather than using it for energy.

As a psychoactive substance, alcohol “affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behaviors”. Studies suggest Alcohol disrupts sleep and can interfere with hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which signal satiety and regulate appetite, which may lead to reckless, excessive eating.

Some evidence suggests that excessive drinking can affect the regulation of cortisol, “the stress hormone”. This hormone helps the body respond to stress by increasing blood pressure and heart rate; as a result, heavy drinkers may have high cortisol levels. Research has found that elevated cortisol levels may lead to abdominal weight gain and other health problems.

The relationship between alcohol and weight gain isn’t always straightforward in epidemiological studies; however, binge drinking has been consistently associated with increased weight gain and higher risk of obesity.

Weight gain is not the only factor when it comes to health risk of alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is responsible for around 5% of the total global disease burden, according to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO). The science shows that being overweight increases a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular problems, joint & bone problems, respiratory issues, liver conditions, gall bladder disease, reproductive & hormonal issues, certain cancers, and even mental issues.

Alcohol is calorie-dense and metabolically disruptive, especially when consumed frequently and in excess. Though the consequences may not be immediate, the cumulative effects on long-term health warrant serious consideration.

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