Hidden high calories! "Alcoholic Beverage" is also called "Liquid Bread". 3 Tips to Avoid Getting Fatter with Drinking

Many international health organizations have been presenting reports and data on the harms of alcohol to human health. Not only does it cause many chronic diseases, it is also one of the important factors that cause you to gain weight. In last year's medical journal "The Lancet", the Global Burden of Disease Study put forward its final report, "The safest amount of alcohol to drink is not to drink." The study reports that alcohol caused 2.8 million deaths worldwide in 2016 and is the leading risk factor for death and disability among people aged 15 to 49. What effects does alcohol have on us? Let VOGUE explain it to you in detail!

Why does drinking alcohol make you fat?

Alcohol poses a hidden calorie crisis. Alcoholic beverages are also known as "liquid bread". In addition to the fact that their raw materials are similar to the main ingredient of bread, wheat, it is also related to their astonishing calorie content. Every gram of alcohol contains 7 calories. If converted to a glass of 600c.c. whiskey with an alcohol content of 40%, drinking one glass will contain 1,344 calories, which is equivalent to two commercially available lunch boxes (one lunch box has about 700 calories), which is quite considerable.

In addition, alcohol will affect the human digestive system, causing a significant decrease in metabolic function. In the long run, it will easily lead to fat accumulation, making the body increasingly plump. In addition, drinking alcohol can easily increase your appetite and make you eat more and more, causing your calorie intake to exceed the limit without you realizing it.

Nutritionists teach you 3 ways to avoid getting fatter the more you drink

1. Get rid of the habit of drinking on an empty stomach.

2. Avoid mixing alcohol when drinking, and replace high-concentration alcoholic beverages such as whiskey and vodka with lower alcohol concentration, diluted sparkling water or light wine.

3. Choosing light foods such as salad, cheese, olives, etc. as side dishes is a good way to reduce the burden on your body.

What are the health benefits of reducing alcohol consumption?

Dr Sarah Jarvis, a family medicine physician and medical adviser to the charity Drinkaware, said: “Reducing the amount you drink, or going a few days without alcohol, can reduce your risk of serious illnesses such as cancer, liver disease and stroke, and improve your overall health.” Alcohol is a contributing factor to seven cancers: bowel, breast, larynx (voice box), liver, mouth, oesophageal (food pipe) and pharynx (upper throat) . "Not all drinkers will get cancer, but scientists have found that some cancers are more likely to occur in drinkers, and the risk is greater for those who drink excessively."

In fact, alcohol can stimulate your anxiety (even if your intention is to use it to "relax"), affect your sleep, cause poor skin conditions, and lead to poor food choices (high-calorie side dishes)!

How to quit drinking effectively?

There are now many non-alcoholic drinks on the market. Budweiser, Peroni and Heineken have all launched non-alcoholic beers in the past two years, and Heineken's sales grew 7.7% last year - the best performance in more than a decade, thanks in part to its non-alcoholic range. In the US, Kin Euphorics’ herb-infused cocktails promise drinkers “a nightcap without the hangover”, while in the UK, Seedlip, a premium non-alcoholic gin made from peas, hay, rosemary and thyme, sold out in three weeks when it debuted at Selfridges in 2015. The second batch sold out in three days; the third batch sold out in less than half an hour. It is now one of the store's best-selling drinks and is served in restaurants in Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Canada and the United States.

If you can't swear off alcohol right away, you can choose to abstain from alcohol for a period of time. You'll find that the sober time helps you feel clear-headed, more energized, and sleep better. When you're dining with friends, tell yourself to order just one glass instead of sharing a bottle. Many people are afraid that after quitting drinking, they will have fewer opportunities for "socializing", which will affect their work. But instead of letting everyone see the embarrassing situation you fall into after drinking, it is better to tell your friends generously that you have quit drinking. I believe that no one will force you to drink.

Is drinking alcohol really good for your health?

"If you are aged between 50 and 60, very small amounts of red wine (up to 50ml or one glass) may have a small benefit in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, however, those benefits are completely offset by the risk of cancer," said Dr Gautam Mehta, associate professor of hepatology at University College London. "There is no safe level of alcohol consumption."

"In general, if people stick to the current recommendations, they won't develop chronic liver disease," Dr. Mehta said. “Alcohol must be metabolised by the liver, and everyone’s ability to do this is different. Most people with cirrhosis have been drinking excessively for many years. However, alcohol can also cause other problems, such as an increased risk of cancer, and you don’t have to drink a lot. One example is breast cancer – even one drink a day can increase your risk by 15 per cent.”

Study finds more young people are turning away from alcohol

According to The Lancet, in 2016, more than a quarter of the world’s 15- to 19-year-olds drank alcohol, but the number of non-drinkers continues to increase - a UK study showed that the number of non-drinkers aged 16 to 24 rose from 18% in 2005 to 29% in 2015. Studies in many countries show the same trend in North America and Japan. The researchers believe this may be due to people becoming more aware of the health risks, changes in the way they spend their leisure time and a delay in starting to drink.

The study found that social media is the main reason why the younger generation drinks less. First, drunk selfies don’t look good. They find that being drunk to the point of unconsciousness is not cool at all. Second, many young people’s idols don’t drink.

Read the full article on VOGUE.com

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