"13 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism and Burn Belly Fat"

 

Stoke your body’s calorie-frying furnace and lose weight even at rest.

Picture a pot of soup simmering on a stove. It's not cold, and it's not boiling. It's simmering. This is akin to your metabolism right now while you're sitting or standing and reading these words on your device. Your metabolism is your body burning calories to energize all of its functions. Everything from breathing, digesting, and circulating blood, to growing hair, propelling you up a flight of stairs, and repairing cells after injury. It simmers even while you're sleeping. This slow-burn remains mostly constant throughout your day. Body size, muscle mass, and age play a part in the speed of your metabolism, but it's mostly set by your genes. You can pick up the pace of your metabolism to burn off calories throughout the day, calories that might otherwise end up stored as fat, including belly fat.

"The belly is one of the body's primary areas of fat storage," says Robert Herbst, a 46-time powerlifting champion and Olympic official, who recently broke a world record in the Yoke Carry (556 lbs.) at age 63. "Fat is stored there first and burned from there last, and unfortunately, despite what infomercials claim, we can't spot reduce.  The only way to lose belly fat is to lose overall body fat." What works for your overall body, then, works for your belly, and in more ways than one. Most of the things you can do to speed up your metabolism can also improve your health, fitness, energy levels, mental sharpness, and self-esteem. So, let's turn up the heat and look at some ways you can speed up your metabolism and burn fat! 

WAKE UP YOUR METABOLISM WITH EXERCISE: "Think of fat cells as hibernating," says Ellie Busby, a registered nutritionist in the United Kingdom and founder of the nutrition website Vojo Health. "They require very little energy to maintain because these cells are not very active." Exercise reduces these sluggish cells and replaces them with muscle cells, which are more active in boosting metabolism. " Studies show that even people with a gene called 'FTO' that's associated with a slower metabolism lost as much weight as people without the gene when they engaged in regular exercise for four weeks," Busby says.

MAKE A MUSCLE: Muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so the more you have, the more calories your body will burn even at rest. "The best way to elevate your metabolism is through resistance exercise, such as lifting weights, which raises your metabolism for 48 to 72 hours after as your body recovers from the workout," says Herbst. Strength training becomes even more critical to keeping your metabolism revving as you age. This is because inactive adults can experience a 3% to 8% loss of muscle mass every 10 years, accompanied by resting metabolic rate reduction and fat accumulation, according to a study by exercise physiologist Wayne Wescott, PhD, in Current Sports Medicine Reports. This study also found that 10 weeks of resistance training may increase resting metabolic rate by 7%.

LIFT THIS WAY: To make metabolically active muscle, the key is consistency (working out 2 to 3 times a week) and compound lifts, says Joe Johnson, owner of 9 to 5 Nutrition, a fitness coaching service for busy office workers. Compound lifts are exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time, making workouts more efficient and productive. "Focus on basic compound exercises like bench press, pull-ups, squats, deadlifts, and shoulder presses, and try to lift a little more weight or do 1 extra rep per week," he says. Lifting this way keeps your muscles challenged for greater growth.

GIVE YOUR PANCREAS A REST: If you are constantly consuming calorie-rich foods and beverages, you'll take in more calories than your metabolism can burn off. This can lead to weight gain and belly fat. To counter that, weight-loss surgeon Jessica Cutler, MD at The Maryland Bariatric Center at Mercy in Baltimore recommends drinking unsweetened beverages, abstaining from snacking, and "allowing your pancreas and storage hormones a chance to rest between meals." "Eliminating any food intake after dinner until breakfast or lunch the next day allows your body a chance to use the energy it has already stored in the form of fat," Dr. Cutler says.

EAT MORE HEALTHY FOOD: By dieting and essentially starving yourself, you are forcing your metabolism to slow down and go into survival mode. That's counterproductive. "Constantly dieting will wreck your metabolism," warns Lara Days, a certified personal trainer and owner of Lara Elizabeth Coaching. "When we eat more food, we support an efficient system, we have more energy to work harder in the gym, we can build more muscle, and we can burn more through TEF (thermic effect of food)." In other words, digesting, absorbing, storing, and excreting the food you consume burns calories. About 10% of the calories from the carbohydrates and proteins you eat are used up processing what you eat and that's part of your overall metabolism. So, eat to boost your fat burn. And make sure to increase your protein intake. "Protein uses more energy in the digestion process," says Days. "It also helps us retain muscle mass, which we just learned uses more energy than fat."

EAT INTERMITTENTLY: While restrictive diets tend to lower metabolism, intermittent fasting can elevate metabolism. One type of intermittent fasting is limiting eating to a window of time, say, the eight hours between your first meal of the day and the last, and fasting for 16 hours, mostly overnight. "Intermittent fasting lowers insulin levels so our bodies can tap into stored sources of fats and boost fat oxidation," says nurse practitioner Cynthia Thurlow, founder of the Everyday Wellness Project and author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation. Fasting can also boost growth hormones in the body, helping to build more muscle if you strength train. "Muscle is the organ of longevity," Thurlow says. "We want to view our muscles as glucose reservoirs, so strength training and intermittent fasting can help us balance blood sugar and insulin and contribute to fat loss."

EAT A PROTEIN-RICH BREAKFAST: Not only does eating breakfast jumpstart your metabolism for the day, but studies also suggest you may consume fewer calories the rest of the day, especially if breakfast includes satiating protein. "If weight loss is your goal, it's important to eat a nutritious breakfast that is going to fuel your morning," says registered dietitian Rima Kleiner, MS, RD, a blogger at Dish on Fish. Aim to include protein, fiber, and a little heart-healthy fat, a combination that helps to keep you feeling fuller longer. "My Turmeric Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bowl is a great way to ensure you're getting the ideal amounts of these key macronutrients and a host of other important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties," she says. "The salmon provides protein and omega 3's for brain and heart health, and gets you one serving closer to meeting the recommendation for 2 to 3 seafood meals each week."

SWEAT WHILE YOU EAT: Eating foods like protein that increase your resting metabolic rate can help you burn more calories and ultimately tap into the fat stored in your belly. One type of food that works particularly well for this is anything spicy. "I recommend all my clients to add spicy foods to their menu in order to take full advantage of this opportunity to burn additional calories outside of daily physical activity," says certified personal trainer Ryan Ernsbarger, fitness editor of Zenmaster Wellness. A study in PloS One demonstrated that capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers that gives spicy foods their heat, promotes fat oxidation and provides a short-term boost in metabolism.

EXERCISE WITHOUT EXERCISING: Another piece of the metabolism puzzle is nicknamed N.E.A.T. for non-exercise activity thermogenesis, which encompasses all the physical activity you do in a day that isn't planned exercise. This can include pretty much anything, from washing dishes, mowing the lawn, tapping your foot to an upbeat tune, fidgeting in your seat in economics class, and even sex. To boost your daily N.E.A.T., simply "move more," says David Smithey, a Level 1 Certified Nutrition Coach and owner of Resolve Nutrition. "My favorite metabolism booster is recommending 10-minute walks after each meal, which also improves insulin sensitivity," he says.

DRINK COFFEE AND GREEN TEA: As long as you don't load it up with cream, tons of sugar, and squirts of those sweet flavorings that are popular at coffee shops, your coffee cup can deliver a daily boost to your metabolism, too. "Caffeine elevates metabolism by increasing thermogenesis via its effects on brown adipose tissue," says Busby of Vojo Health. If you want an even greater metabolic response, she says, drink caffeinated green tea. Studies show that a green tea-caffeine mixture improves weight maintenance through thermogenesis and fat oxidation. And powerful antioxidant compounds in green tea called catechins may stimulate the body to burn more fat, studies suggest.

TOP OFF YOUR WATER TANK: "Your body is 80% water; if you don't drink enough, your cortisol levels (a stress hormone) will be raised, which will keep you from being able to reduce tummy fat," says Doctor of Chiropractic Susan Wong, DC, co-founder of Twin Waves Wellness Center. Wong recommends women consume 2 to 3 liters per day, and 3 to 4 liters daily for men.

MAKE EXERCISE INTENSE: Exercise is good for boosting your metabolism, and vigorous exercise is even better because you use more oxygen while huffing and puffing, and your metabolism stays at that higher-rate state long after you hit the showers. The technical term for this phenomenon is EPOC, which stands for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which is characterized by short bouts of very rigorous effort interspersed with intervals of resting/recovery activity, has been shown to boost EPOC. A 2021 study in the International Journal of Exercise Science found that both vigorous strength training and HIIT sessions significantly increased energy expenditure for 14 hours after the exercise sessions were complete.

GO TO BED EARLIER: "Getting enough sleep each night is essential to maintaining your metabolism and keeping belly fat away," says Janet Coleman, RD, a registered dietitian with The Consumer Mag. One study in the research journal Obesity showed that sleeping only 4 hours per night for 5 nights significantly reduced morning resting metabolic rate in healthy adults. "Aim for at least seven hours a night and try to get your last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime so your body has time to fully digest it," Coleman recommends.

BY: Jeff Csatari, Updated on April 25, 2022, Eat This, Not That!

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Sneak Exercise Into Your Work Day”

 

STRETCH: It helps your blood flow through your body, increases your range of motion, and may help prevent an injury. And you can do it anywhere, even at your desk during the workday. But keep it gentle. Don’t push to the point of serious pain, and never “bounce” into a stretch.

1-MILE RULE: If you live close to town, think of all the places you drive within a mile of your home. In the time it takes to load up the car, drive, find -- and possibly pay for -- parking, you could probably have walked there. In heavy traffic, a walk even might get you there faster. 

TENSE YOUR MUSCLES: No time for the gym? No problem. You can do this almost anywhere and in very little time. A typical example: Tighten your stomach muscles for 3 to 10 seconds. Repeat 4 times. Your co-workers won’t even know you’re working out. These exercises may lower your blood pressure as well.  

GET A JOGGING STROLLER: Don’t feel trapped in the house with the kid. Take them with you! A stroller can make your jog an adventure for everyone. So, strap in the munchkin, bring some emergency supplies, and get out into the world. 

HAVE LEASH, WILL WALK: Fido isn’t the only one who needs his daily walk, but the fact that he does can get you moving. Owning a dog makes you more likely to be physically active. The guilt of that unused gym membership is nothing compared to the look he gives you when he wants a walk. So, grab a leash, and maybe a Frisbee, and save that gym membership money for doggie treats.

WALKING MEETINGS: Need 30 minutes to catch up with a co-worker? Do it on foot and kill two birds with one stone. Not only will you get some exercise, but you may also do your job better.

TAKE THE STAIRS: In 1 minute, a 150-pound person burns 10 calories walking up stairs, compared with 1.5 calories taking the elevator. If you’re headed to the 35th floor, you don’t have to tromp all the way up (unless you just want to). Take the elevator to the 30th floor and walk up the last five. And take the stairs one at a time. It actually burns more calories than taking them two at a time.

PARK FARTHER AWAY: Whether you’re at the grocery store, the office, or the post office, park at the back of the lot. You’re less likely to get in a fender bender, and you’ll get closer to your exercise quota for the week.

SPRINT: Just three 20-second sprints, with a 2-minute break in between, may be as good for you as 50 minutes of moderate jogging. You could do that on your lunch break -- and still have time for lunch. Just make sure to warm up first. And ask your doctor if you’re not sure if you’re healthy enough for vigorous exercise.

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: In one city, the average commuter added about 15 minutes of physical activity per day -- mostly walking to and from buses and trains -- when they took public transportation. That’s 105 minutes of the recommended 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity recommended per week. Plus, you’ll save on gas.

TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME: It’s trash day -- you’re going to have to put your coat and shoes on anyway. Why not take a stroll around the block while you’re at it? If the weather’s fine and you’ve got the time, give it a shot whenever you have to be out on foot.

BIKE TO WORK: Local message boards or a bike commuter group can help you find the safest route. There’s lots of help out there. Many companies even have somewhere for you to clean up after your ride.

POWER CHORES: As the person you live with will tell you, you have any number of chances to be active around the house and yard. Scrub the tub a little harder than usual. It can get your heart rate up. Does the car need a detail? Do it yourself: You’ll save some money and get a workout at the same time.

WALK-MAIL: Need to send a message to a co-worker across the office? Don’t email it, walk it over. It’s a chance to bond with colleagues, and it gets you out of your seat and on your feet for a bit. Do that a few times a day and you’ll be surprised how many steps you can get in.

STAY OFF THE COUCH: Don’t settle in with a bowl of ice cream to watch TV. Put the remote across the room so you have to get up to change the channel. Ride an exercise bike or run in place while you watch TV, do pushups during commercial breaks, or just tidy up around the living room. You’ll burn calories and be more likely to stay out of the fridge.

REVIEWED BY: Tyler Wheeler, MD, WebMD, on November 23, 2020

SOURCES:

CDC: “Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Be Active,” “Change Happens One Step at A Time.”

European Journal of Epidemiology: “Commuting physical activity is favourably associated with biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”

Harvard Business Review: “How to Do Walking Meetings Right.”

Journal of Public Health Policy: “Bicycling for Transportation and Health: The Role of Infrastructure.”

LiveScience: “Fit in 60 Seconds? 1-Minute Workout May Be Good Enough.”

Mayo Clinic: “Fitting in fitness: Finding time for physical activity,” “How much should the average adult exercise every day?” “Stretching essentials.”

Michigan State University: “Dog Walkers More Likely to Reach Exercise Benchmarks.”

MoveItMonday: “5 Ways to Add More Steps to Your Day.”

National Institutes of Health: “The Energy Expenditure of Stair Climbing One Step and Two Steps at a Time: Estimations from Measures of Heart Rate,” “Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data,” “Walking, cycling, and obesity rates in Europe, North America, and Australia,” “Opportunities Abound for Moving Around,” “Dog ownership and physical activity: a review of the evidence,” “Physiologic responses to running with a jogging stroller,” “Evidence for the role of isometric exercise training in reducing blood pressure: potential mechanisms and future directions.”

National Strength and Conditioning Association: “The Often Forgotten Exercises: Isometric Training.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Great Food Combos for Losing Weight”

 

POWER PAIRS: When it comes to slimming down, two (or more) foods can be better than one. That’s because each has different nutrients that work together. As a team, they can help you fend off hunger, stay full longer, and burn fat or calories better than they would solo.

AVOCADO AND DARK LEAFY GREENS: A spinach or kale salad is low in calories and high in nutrients, but it can leave you wanting more. To make it more filling, top it with avocado. It’s likely to be more satisfying since it has a kind of good fat (monounsaturated) that staves off hunger. Bonus: Avocado also helps your body absorb more of the veggies’ disease-fighting antioxidants.

CHICKEN AND CAYENNE PEPPER: Chicken breasts are known to be good for weight loss, and for good reason. One breast serves up 27 grams of protein for fewer than 150 calories. Protein takes longer to digest, and that can keep you full longer. Spice up this dinner staple with a rub or sauce made with cayenne pepper. It may boost your calorie burn and make you less hungry.

OATMEAL AND WALNUTS: A simple way to slim down: Eat the rough stuff. Simply adding more fiber to your diet can lead to weight loss. That’s because your body can’t break down fiber, so it slows down digestion and takes up space in your stomach. With 4 grams of fiber per cup, oatmeal can be a good source. Walnuts can add about another 2 grams, plus satisfying protein and crunch.

EGGS, BLACK BEANS AND PEPPERS: Start your day with this protein-packed scramble. According to research in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, people who had eggs for breakfast ate less for the rest of a day and a half than those who had a bagel. Black beans and peppers make this morning meal even more filling, thanks to a double dose of fiber.

BEAN AND VEGETABLE SOUP: Add a broth-based vegetable soup to your lunch or dinner. The liquid fills your stomach, leaving less room for higher-calorie foods. One study showed that people who started with soup ate 20% fewer calories during a meal. Stirring in beans, such as chickpeas or black beans, can give it more staying power because they’re high in protein and fiber.

STEAK AND BROCCOLI: Too tired to hit the gym? This meal can help you out. Beef is rich in protein and iron, which your body uses to build red blood cells. They take oxygen to your organs, so falling short in those can zap your energy. Broccoli is the perfect side, because its vitamin C helps your body take in iron. A half-cup of this veggie has 65% of all the vitamin C you need in a day.

GREEN TEA AND LEMON: If you need a pick-me-up, brew some green tea. The low-calorie drink is packed with antioxidants called catechins, which may help you burn more calories and fat. One study suggested that drinking 4 cups of green tea every day may lead to decreases in weight and blood pressure. To make it even healthier, add a squeeze of lemon -- it helps your body absorb them.

SALMON AND SWEET POTATO: Fish is often called “brain food,” but it’s also good for your waist. Its omega-3 fats may help you lose body fat, and salmon is a top source. Plus, one 3-ounce serving packs in 17 grams of protein. Serve it with a baked sweet potato for a filling yet light meal. A 5-inch-long spud has 4 grams of fiber and just 112 calories.

YOGURT AND RASPBERRIES: This creamy treat may help turn up the fat burn. Research suggests that people who get more calcium and vitamin D as part of a weight loss plan shed more fat than those who don’t. So, look for a vitamin D-fortified yogurt, which serves up about 35% of all the calcium you need in a day. Top it with half a cup of raspberries for sweetness and 4 grams of fiber.

MUSHROOMS AND GROUND BEEF: You can eat burgers and lose weight -- the key is to swap at least 50% of the meat for chopped or ground mushrooms. With only 16 calories a cup, they can lighten any dish made with ground beef without skimping on flavor. They may also help keep your blood sugar levels steady, which helps curb cravings.

OLIVE OIL AND CAULIFLOWER: At just 27 calories a cup, cauliflower is a diet-friendly food. It’s also low on the glycemic index (GI), a measure of how much a food raises your blood sugar. One study showed that low-GI vegetables led to more weight loss than starchier ones, such as peas and corn. Drizzle chopped cauliflower with olive oil and roast it -- this brings out the flavor, and olive oil’s fats can curb your appetite by making you feel full.

PISTACHIOS AND AN APPLE: Need a midday snack? This combo offers protein, healthy fats, and fiber to fend off hunger. With about 160 calories for 50 of them, pistachios are one of the lowest-calorie nuts. Plus, they’re usually packaged in their shells, which can slow you down and keep you from munching mindlessly. The apple adds sweetness and crunch to your treat, along with 4 grams of fiber.

FISH, WHOLE WHEAT TORILLA AND SALSA: One of the top reasons weight loss efforts fail is taste. Eating bland foods at every meal can lead to a junk food binge. So, it’s important to have healthy, flavorful dishes in your lineup. Fish tacos are a perfect example: Make them with white fish for lean protein and a whole-wheat tortilla for fiber. Top them with some salsa for extra vitamins.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND ALMONDS: Swearing off sweets sounds like a good way to drop pounds, but it can backfire. Nixing them altogether can lead to overeating. With about 7 grams of sugar per ounce, dark chocolate is one dessert you can feel good about eating. Pairing it with high-protein almonds keeps your blood sugar levels steady, and that can keep you satisfied longer.

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Ratini, DO, MS, WebMD, on October 06, 2020

SOURCES:

Heather Mangieri, RDN, spokeswoman, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Jessica Crandall, RDN, spokeswoman, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Wien, M. Nutrition Journal, November 2013.

Unlu, N. The Journal of Nutrition, March 2005.

USDA National Nutrient Database.

Ludy, M. Physiology & Behavior, March 2011.

Ma, Y. Annals of Internal Medicine, February 2015.

Vander Wal, J. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, December 2005.

Flood, J. Appetite, April 2007.

Kim, S. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2016.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: “Vitamin C.”

Nagao, T. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2005.

Green, R. Molecular Nutrition Food Research, September 2007.

Buckley, J. Nutrients, December 2010.

Zhu, W. Nutrition Journal, January 2013.

Miller, A. Journal of Food Science, September 2014.

Marsales, H. The FASEB Journal, April 2014.

Bertola, M. PLoS Medicine, September 2015.

Schwartz, G. Cell Metabolism, October 2008.

Cottone, P. PNAS, November 2009.

Tan, S. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2013.

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol? What Happens When You Quit?”

 

Moderate drinking may help your health, but heavy boozing only hurts it. 

Here's how alcohol affects your body and your health. Alcohol is one of the few socially acceptable drugs that people consume regularly. When it comes to the effects of alcohol on the body, it's not all bad, but it's also not all good. Read on for the nutrition of alcohol and what alcohol does to your body, in moderation and in excess.

ALCOHOL NUTRITION: The calories in alcoholic beverages can vary based on their percentage of alcohol (and added ingredients). Higher-alcohol drinks generally have smaller serving sizes. Here are the usual calories in several common alcoholic beverages:

·                     Sparkling Wine (Champagne, prosecco): 5 oz., 125 calories

·                     White Wine: 5 oz., 125 calories

·                     Red Wine: 5 oz., 130 calories

·                     Light Beers (pilsner, helles, lager): 12 oz., 100 calories

·                     Medium Beers (IPA, APA): 12 oz., 190 calories

·                     Heavy Beers (IIPA, stout): 12 oz., 220 calories

·                     Malt Liquor: 12 oz., 210 calories

·                     Liqueurs: 1.5 oz. (1 shot), 170 calories (can vary with additional ingredients like sugar and cream)

·                     Distilled Liquors (rum, vodka, gin, whiskey): 1.5 oz. (1 shot), 100 calories

DEHYDRATION: Dehydration is more than just a parched feeling—it can contribute to neurological, urological, circulatory and gastrointestinal disorders over time. When you drink alcohol, it suppresses the hormone in your body that helps your body stay hydrated, called the antidiuretic hormone. Alcohol itself is also a diuretic, which means it draws water out of your body. When you get dehydrated from alcohol consumption, it can also lead to electrolyte imbalances. The seriousness of electrolyte imbalances depends on the severity of your dehydration. For example, sometimes rehydrating with a drink with electrolytes, like coconut water or a sports drink, can do the trick. Other times, these imbalances can be serious and require medical treatment. One way to limit the dehydrating effects of alcohol is to alternate a glass of water between alcoholic drinks. A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that those who drank beer and water after exercising were just as hydrated as those who drank only water.

 

BREAST CANCER: As little as one alcoholic drink per day can raise your risk of breast cancer. Drinking alcohol can raise estrogen levels. Increased estrogen in the body is a known risk factor for breast cancer and can even result from low levels of alcohol consumption. When your body breaks down alcohol, it creates byproducts which may be carcinogenic. The more you drink, the harder it becomes for your body to clear them out. Women are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens from puberty through their first pregnancy, so the timing of alcohol consumption plays a role as well. On the bright side, eating a balanced, nutritious diet can be protective against these alcohol byproducts. For example, women who did not consume the recommended daily amount of folate (400 mcg) regularly were at a heightened risk compared to those who did.

GUT HEALTH: Drinking alcohol can influence the composition and metabolic function of your GI tract. Alcohol causes our stomach cells to produce excess amounts of gastric acid. This can cause stomach irritability and nausea. Ongoing overconsumption of alcohol has been shown to cause oxidative stress that promotes the development of alcoholic liver disease, along with other conditions. Probiotics have been shown to help repair the GI damage, once drinking stops.

PANCREATIC HEALTH: Alcohol is the second most common cause of acute pancreatitis, with risk increasing substantially when someone has more than five drinks a day. Luckily, there has been no association found between moderate wine or beer consumption (one to two drinks daily) and pancreatitis. There are a few reasons why too much alcohol doesn't agree with your pancreas. Ethanol from alcohol promotes the initial pancreatic injury by inflaming and plugging the cells around the pancreas. Continuing to consume excessive amounts of alcohol inhibits the body's ability to repair the damaged cells. Diets high in nutrients such as thiamine, folate, fiber and vitamin D have been shown to be protective against pancreatic damage.

 

LIVER HEALTH: The liver is the first organ many people think of when talking about alcohol. It is well-established that excessive drinking can lead to fat accumulation in your liver and, ultimately, cirrhosis. Fortunately, early stages of liver disease are reversible, but cirrhosis is not. Body fat is highly influenced by alcohol and can have a profound impact on your liver health as well. In a healthy body, fat tissue is necessary and important for longevity. However, over time, excessive alcohol consumption breaks down fat cells and sends them to the liver, where they can accumulate and lead to chronic liver disease. Obesity has been found to exacerbate this effect. Regular exercise has been found to reduce fat accumulation in the liver, and it improves body composition in general, which provides additional protection from liver disease.

 

BRAIN HEALTH: A 2018 study in the BMJ found that, after 23 years of follow-up, the lowest incidence of dementia was found in adults who drank between one and fourteen drinks each week (two or fewer drinks per day). Surprisingly, they found that abstainers had the highest rates of dementia; and, unsurprisingly, heavy consumption greatly increased the risk. Moderate alcohol consumption prevents gaps from forming when brain cells naturally die; however, science is still unsure of the mechanisms for this. Additionally, a study in Molecular Psychiatry found that heavy drinkers, specifically men, had significantly more behavioral and social problems than moderate drinkers or abstainers. One nightly glass of wine or beer may be the sweet spot for staying mentally sharp.

 

HEART HEALTH: Moderate alcohol consumption boosts the good HDL cholesterol in our blood, which promotes clean arteries while also reducing inflammation (moderate is defined as one drink per day for women, and two for men). Better yet, low amounts of alcohol can also improve blood flow and blood pressure. This reduces your risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and artery disease. On the other hand, heavy drinking (five or more drinks daily) sabotages these benefits and actually increases blood pressure, which can be an additional risk for heart disease.

 

BONE HEALTH: Booze may boost your bone health as well, when consumed in moderation. The same increases in sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) that can be a risk factor for reproductive cancers can increase bone density. Wine and beer may be more beneficial than spirits due to their antioxidant content. However, chronically consuming high levels of alcohol can damage your bones and deplete your body of minerals essential for bone health. In studies with rats, vitamin E has been found to improve the negative bone health outcomes associated with alcohol; however, more research is needed to form a conclusion.

BOTTOM LINE: Alcohol is widely available and consumed, someway or somehow, in many cultures. The research is promising about the health benefits of consuming moderate amounts of alcohol. However, that is not to say you should pick up the habit if you don't already drink. What is well-established is that abuse of alcohol is incredibly damaging to numerous organs in your body. Alcohol can have a place in a healthy diet when consumed responsibly and in moderation. Cheers to that!

 

Jessica Ball, M.S., R.D., Eating Well, Updated December 11, 2019

“What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Drinking?”

The scoop on why you'll lose weight, get better sleep and feel better overall.

Whatever your alcohol intake-whether you only indulge in a single celebratory Friday-night drink or pour yourself an Olivia Pope-size glass of wine every single night-there are a bevy of benefits to going booze-free. You already know many of them: weight loss, better sleep and a happier, healthier mood. But what, exactly, happens inside your body that makes not drinking so great?

"Alcohol is a toxin," Sal Raichbach, Psy.D., LCSW, chief of clinical compliance at Ambrosia Treatment Center points out. "As it enters the bloodstream, it impacts every organ system and takes a toll on the normal processes of the human body. So, if you stop drinking, then your body doesn't have to go through that recovery process the next day." Here's what happens to your body when you stop drinking—on the outside and inside.

YOU'LL LOSE WEIGHT: If you've ever gone even a week without your favorite cocktail, you've likely noticed your clothing fits a little more loosely. (Hello, skinny jeans!) That's because when you cut out alcohol's empty calories, your body can focus on burning the other calories you consume. "Alcohol contains empty calories, which don't offer nutrients," Raichbach explains. Those empty calories aren't as satisfying as energy from whole foods with nutrients like protein and fiber and fat, so you're likely adding alcohol's calories on top of your nutritional needs. If you eat an adequate amount to maintain your weight, any excess calories will be stored as fat. It's true that most drinks only pack 100 to 200 calories per serving, but that adds up, says David Greuner, M.D., surgical director at NYC Surgical Associates. "Though no longer considered an exact measure, 3,500 calories translates to approximately one pound of weight," he says. So: "By simply eliminating nightly cocktails or weekend binges, you can potentially shed a couple of pounds by month's end."

YOU'LL SLEEP BETTER: Even drinking once or twice a week can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, Raichbach says. "People who quit drinking often notice that their weekends are more productive and restful because their sleep is restorative," he describes. That may seem counterintuitive-especially for people who struggle to fall asleep at night. "Even though alcohol makes you sleepy, it's not a useful sleep aid," Raichbach explains. "Moderate alcohol consumption diminishes your quality of sleep by reducing the production of melatonin, a hormone that tells our bodies when to sleep and when to wake up. It also increases another chemical that affects sleep regulation, adenosine." What's more, Greuner adds, consuming alcohol forces your brain to work in alpha waves, which is a meditative or resting wave state we typically experience when we're awake. With these hormones, chemicals and brain waves out of whack, you'll find yourself waking up in the middle of the night-or needing to nap at work. And restorative REM sleep can be elusive. Cutting out alcohol can help you sleep soundly through the night.

 

YOU'LL GET SICK LESS: Prone to head colds? Your nightly glass-or three-of wine could be to blame, says Greuner. While light to moderate drinking shouldn't increase your susceptibility, "even a single episode of binge drinking can lead to exertion on the immune system and cause inflammation-a common cause of many ailments." When you refrain from drinking to excess, you'll reduce and reverse inflammation. And because of that "over time, your immune system will be strengthened," Greuner explains.

 

YOU'LL IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTION: The liver is responsible for cleansing the body of toxins-including alcohol. When you take alcohol out of the equation, "the liver doesn't have to deal with metabolizing ethanol and can focus on being the body's filter for other toxins that we naturally encounter," Raichbach says. Drinking too much can also cause fatty liver disease, inflammation of the liver and, over time, cirrhosis and liver failure. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you're taking any medications. Some medicines interact with alcohol and can increase the risk of liver damage from drinking. Plus, our digestive system deals with alcohol differently than other toxins. Alcohol, particularly fermented beverages like beer and wine, can cause stomach cells to overproduce gastric acid, which can irritate the stomach. Excessive alcohol intake can damage the lining of the GI tract as well. "As soon as alcohol enters the body and travels into the esophagus," says Raichbach, "it's already doing damage to cells that digest our food. Studies show that it continues to affect the digestive system as it enters the stomach, where it can negatively affect the lining of the stomach and cause ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract." While you likely wouldn't see these effects with moderate alcohol consumption, stopping drinking eliminates this risk entirely.

 

YOU'LL STAY MORE HYDRATED: "Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it increases the rate at which you expel water from your body as urine," explains Raichbach. The need to go or not go to the bathroom begins in your brain, as your pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that tells your kidneys it's time to retain water. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol can have a temporary diuretic effect. "Alcohol causes ADH levels to drop, and as a result, the kidneys produce more urine and retain less water," Raichbach says. "When you stop drinking alcohol, you restore ADH levels to their natural state, and your kidneys expel the appropriate amount of water." By retaining water and staying hydrated, your whole body will feel better. “Our bodies are entirely dependent on water," he says. "Every cell in our body uses water in one way or another. It's essential for circulation, maintaining body temperature, and helps to get rid of waste. Without proper hydration, the heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood, and your kidneys will eventually start to fail."

YOUR SKIN WILL LOOK BETTER: Another plus to rehydrating your body is that your appearance may improve. "Though moderate drinking may not present a large number of immediate life-threatening concerns, it can quickly take a noticeable toll on your appearance-even after one night of overindulging," warns Greuner. "Less water in the body leads to some immediate and visible effects, including dry and more wrinkled skin, red cheeks, eczema and blood-shot eyes." But take a night-or a month-off from drinking, and you'll likely be happier with what you see in the mirror. "With the avoidance of alcohol and proper hydration, your skin should soon return to its normal healthy state," he says.

 

YOU'LL FEEL LESS ANXIOUS: You likely already know that alcohol is a depressant. As such, alcohol "directly affects the brain and neural networks, impacting almost every one of the brain's processes," Raichbach says. "A healthy brain that isn't impaired by alcohol maintains a balance of neurotransmitters like GABA and dopamine." On the other hand, he says, "Alcohol throws off the levels of neurotransmitters that regulate emotions and behavior, and control cognitive abilities." When you drink, your GABA and dopamine levels deplete, and you may feel tired, anxious and depressed when the intoxicating effects of alcohol wear off, Raichbach says. But taking a break from alcohol allows your brain to restore the balance of feel-good hormones.

 

BOTTOM LINE: The recommendations around drinking caution not to start if you don't already drink, but say that in moderation—one glass per day for women and two for men—alcohol can be part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Besides the above-mentioned benefits of going sober, as little as one drink a day has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. Plus, certain populations—including pregnant women, people under 21 and people with certain medical conditions—shouldn’t drink at all. Whether you're considering cutting back, doing a 30-day dry month or giving up alcohol entirely, you'll likely reap some benefits—but drinking in moderation can be OK too.

Jillian Kramer, Eating Well, Updated November 25, 2020

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The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
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