The relationship betweenalcohol consumption andbody weight is the subject of inconclusive studies. Findings of these studies range from increase inbody weight to a smalldecrease amongwomen who begin consumingalcohol.[1][2] Some of these studies are conducted with numerous subjects; one involved nearly 8,000 and another 140,000 subjects.[citation needed]
According to Cambridge University review, the research results do not necessarily mean that people who wish to lose weight should continue to consumealcohol because the review “suggests that adults do not compensate appropriately for alcohol energy by eating less, and a relatively modest alcohol dose may lead to an increase in food consumption.”[3] Due to these discrepancies in findings, the relationship betweenalcohol andweight remains unresolved and requires further research.
Certain patterns ofalcohol use may contribute toobesity. A study found frequent, light drinkers (three to seven drinking days per week, one drink per drinking day) had lowerBMIs than infrequent, but heavier drinkers.[6] Althoughcalories inliquids containingethanol may fail to trigger thephysiologic mechanism that produces the feeling of fullness in the short term, long-term, frequent drinkers may compensate forenergy derived fromethanol byeating less.[7]
^Cordain; et al. (1997). "Influence of moderate daily wine consumption on body weight regulation and metabolism in healthy free-living males".J Am Coll Nutr.16 (2):134–9.doi:10.1080/07315724.1997.10718663.PMID9100213.
