Sugary alcoholic drinks contain more calories than dry wines and unsweetened spirits. However, experts say that the main cause of weight gain after parties is often not the alcohol itself, but excessive food intake.
Russian therapist and dietitian Yelena Ustinova stated this in an interview with Gazeta.ru, as reported by Oxu.Az.
The doctor noted that the main component of alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). For example, 100 ml of dry wine contains about 11-12 grams of ethanol, the rest is water. In strong drinks like vodka or cognac, ethanol content reaches 40%.
The expert divides alcoholic drinks into two groups: sweet and unsweetened. Liqueurs, fruit drinks, fortified wines, and various cocktails fall into the sweet category. The high calorie content of these drinks is due to added sugar and other carbohydrates.
"Ethyl alcohol itself has energy value, but its metabolism has different features. The energy produced during ethanol processing is not directly stored as fat; it is mainly spent on the body's heat production. This is why many people feel warmth after consuming alcohol. Thus, ethyl alcohol is not a direct cause of fat mass increase," explains Ustinova.
Therefore, those watching their figure are advised to choose dry wine or unsweetened strong drinks (vodka, tequila, cognac), as they contain much less sugar.
Ustinova emphasizes that the most important point is alcohol's ability to increase appetite: "After a few drinks, self-control weakens, and a person begins to eat more than planned. This is the most common cause of overeating. Moreover, alcoholic drinks are usually accompanied by fatty and heavy foods. As a result, the next day, along with bloating due to fluid retention, an increase in weight is observed."
In conclusion, the expert stated that if a person can control their appetite, one or two glasses of dry wine without sweet snacks are unlikely to seriously affect their figure. However, prolonged parties with plenty of alcohol and high-calorie foods directly contribute to weight gain.
