Follow for more talkers

Booze can help people shed pounds as long as they snack on this

Alcohol fuels the munchies, but needn't necessarily cause weight gain.

Avatar photo

Published

on
Beer party. In the process of party - spilled beer, bottle caps and leftover chips on the table. Top view
(Chatham172 via Shutterstock)

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Booze can help people shed the pounds, as long as they snack on nuts, according to new research.

High protein foods soak up alcohol - without leading to pot bellies and muffin tops, say scientists.

They also include olives, popcorn, cocktail onions, deli meats, cheeses, raw veggies, dips and dried or fresh fruit.

A University of Sydney study found drinkers who opted for them consumed fewer calories overall than those who didn't.

But choosing chips, sausage rolls, biscuits or other fatty products pushes up the count.

Alcohol fuels the munchies, but needn't necessarily cause weight gain. It has been dubbed the "aperitif effect."

The findings are based on 9,341 Aussies. As expected, those who drank consumed more savory foods.

"This was associated with decreased energy intake in some - but increased energy intake in others," said senior author Professor David Raubenheimer.

Around two thirds chose foods high in protein but low in carbohydrate and fat such as lean meats, poultry, fish, seafood, nuts and legumes.

Analysis showed they consumed an average 1,749 calories daily - including those from alcohol.

This was 577 fewer than they needed to maintain current weight - and 451 less than the 2,200 racked up by the non-drinkers.

The other third picked crisps, sausage rolls, processed meats, garlic bread, spring rolls and potato wedges - which have the 'umami' taste without the protein.

They consumed an average 3,051 calories on average - 813 more more than their EER (estimated energy requirement). Over time, it increases the risk of obesity.

"It's known alcohol increases appetite, particularly for savory food, a phenomenon that's known as the 'aperitif effect,'" said lead author Dr. Amanda Grech.

"Recent research has shown levels of FGF-21 - a hormone that increases protein appetite and suppresses appetite for sweetness - increase after alcohol is consumed.

"It's also known protein has a satiating effect.

"We wanted to find out whether people select more protein-rich savory foods when drinking alcohol and, if they do, whether the satiating effect of additional dietary protein leads to them taking in fewer calories overall, despite the additional energy from alcohol itself."

Alcohol is energy dense. But evidence it contributes to weight gain is inconclusive. The latest study is the first to take into account other dietary components.

Participants were from the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey - the largest and most comprehensive of its kind.

Raubenheimer and colleagues used a technique he invented himself called nutritional geometry.

It untangles multi-dimensionality of diet - enabling multiple components to be observed simultaneously.

Data included the food and drink each individual had consumed over a 24-hour period and the total amount of energy it contained.

It also contained information on how much came from protein, fat, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Four-in-ten (40%) volunteers had consumed alcohol.

The researchers said results indicate despite the large sugar content, drinking need not necessarily lead to weight gain.

But in the current environment low-protein, high-fat snack foods are abundant and inexpensive. So alcohol may indeed be contributing to the obesity epidemic.

"When consuming alcohol and your appetite is elevated, make sure you select healthier lean protein sources such as lean red meat, chicken, fish, seafood or legumes and avoid the urge to snack on low-protein, savory snack foods," Grech said.

"This will ensure that your protein appetite is satisfied without over consuming energy, leading to weight gain.

"Above all, be sure to stick within the guidelines for alcohol intake, which poses health risks other than weight gain and obesity."

The researchers suggest those who wish to eat healthily while consuming alcohol snack before, rather than instead of, a meal.

Suitable snacks include a serving of cheese (40g), unsalted nuts, chickpeas and vegetable sticks with tzatziki or hummus made with fresh ingredients.

The findings were presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia.

Stories and infographics by ‘Talker Research’ are available to download & ready to use. Stories and videos by ‘Talker News’ are managed by SWNS. To license content for editorial or commercial use and to see the full scope of SWNS content, please email [email protected] or submit an inquiry via our contact form.

Top Talkers