Lots of Calories
Alcohol is not only high in calories (containing about seven calories per gram), it is also laden with carbohydrates. Beer may contain as many as 13 grams of carbohydrates per bottle (or 12 oz.) Many drinkers consume several alcoholic beverages per day, making their intake of carbohydrates and calories very high.
Stimulates Hunger
Alcohol may add a significant amount of calories when taken in with a meal (as many as 33 percent more). See the "Resources" section below for specifics. It is also thought that because alcohol may stimulate hunger in individuals, more calories can be consumed. In addition, those who drink in social settings are more likely to consume high calorie restaurant food that may be larger in portion size than average meals consumed at home.
Liquid Calories
There is a difference between liquid calories and those derived from food. Liquid calories are thought to cause weight gain more quickly because they may not trigger the typical physiological response in the brain that signals fullness. The result is often excess calories consumed and more weight gain.
Bloating and Other Conditions
In addition to weight gain, alcohol abuse can lead to a host of other health problems, including cancer, pancreatitus, hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage, neurological damage and heart conditions. Excessive drinking may also result in erosion of the stomach lining or "gastritis." Damage due to gastritis can result in upset stomach, abdominal pain, black tar-like stools, vomiting of blood and and bloating. See the Resources section for a link.
Tags: weight gain, abdominal pain, , Resources section