Is Beer Intake The Reason For My Beer Belly?

Many may relate food with calories, but did you know that alcoholic drinks contain calories too? Like beer, other alcoholic beverages such as vodka, wine, whisky, brandy and spirits contain similar calories. In addition, mixers added to alcoholic drinks, such as cream, juice, and soda, usually have added sugar and will further increase the calorie content.

With one gram of alcohol containing 7 calories, just one standard drink of alcohol, i.e. ⅔ can of beer (220ml) or one glass of wine, would give the same amount of calories as ½ bowl of rice or one slice of pizza. This does not include the mixers that could easily add to our calorie and sugar intake. That is why regular drinkers tend to have abdominal obesity, also known as the infamous beer belly. Hence, we would advise limiting or refraining from alcohol consumption for weight management reasons, as they are “empty calories” containing negligible to no nutrients.

In the long run, alcoholic drinks, being high in calories, can contribute to obesity and high triglyceride levels, thus raising the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and stroke. Regular consumption of alcohol is also associated with other diseases such as hardening of the liver, brain damage, and certain cancers such as cancer of the mouth, throat, and oesophagus.

Article is contributed by Ms Natalie Yeo (Dietitian of the Singapore Heart Foundation) and Dr Mak Koon Hou (Board Member of the Singapore Heart Foundation, cardiologist in private practice).