My husband and I have a longstanding dispute on this. I can't help but notice those who consume large amounts of alcohol tend to get a "spare tire", "beer gut", or whatever you'd like to call it. I even noticed this with friends during the college years. My husband says it's NOT the alcohol that causes it, but what we tend to consume when intoxicated. (like ordering pizzas, junk food, etc.) If that is the case...why does the weight tend to go to the same place on most people? When we normally gain weight, it disperses into different areas of the body. (for some.) But with over-alcohol consumption, it tends to gather around the midsection of the body....hence, the "beer gut". Is this just my imagination? And if not, why would it mainly gather in just that area, all because of alcohol?
2007-12-09 02:46:30 · 11 answers · asked by Lynn 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Additionally, thanks to everyone who answers with an open mind and with good intent. Please don't respond if you are just out to call someone names or behave immaturely. Thanks!
2007-12-09 03:07:59 · update #1
People with high cortisol (high stress levels) can collect a bit more belly fat (rather than having it be distributed), plus in severe alcoholism cases the liver can become enlarged. Also, poor diet usually causes more belly fat than lack of exercise. People who exercise sometimes never get the belly down until they clean up their diet. I agree with others, men genetically tend towards bigger bellies, and women tend to put fat on their hips/thighs.
2007-12-09 02:55:07 · answer #1 · answered by guyster 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the spare tire comes from a combo of alcohol consumption AND what we eat while drinking. But alcohol can definitely do it on its own. Alcoholic beverages are very high in calories...and they are empty calories. Meaning we are consuming them for no real purpose, they aren't giving our bodies nourishment or energy. And those calories, if not burned, will be converted and stored as fat. The same thing would happen if you sat and drank lattes all day.
As for where it all goes, I think that is just in your genetic make-up. Cortisol, a result of stress, can help it land in your midsection. Perhaps more health conscious people who exercise a lot aren't drinking, or they are just exercising off what they drink. I think its just a stereotype that all big guts come from drinking beer. Its just a term used for a big gut...alcohol induced or not. Hope I helped!!
2007-12-09 11:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
well i would think so if u drink to much alcohol. Even cute little drinks like martinis and long islands they have "alot" of calories in them, and especially if the person doesnt work out or they dont have a physical job where they can at least burn off some calories. Now when people drink beer or other things... they want to munch on something like (chips/popcorn) things like that why do u think guys like chips and beer during sports.... and you know it all depends on the persons body some people gain weight in the belly area butt area thighs area ,, but yeah i would think that drinking to "much" would cause the belly effect. Just google the question u should find more info bout it :)
2007-12-09 11:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by mercedeslee 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're both kind of right.
It isn't specifically the alcohol that causes the 'spare tyre', but the huge amounts of calories in alcoholic drinks. If you eat a high calorie/fat diet this will also contribute to the problem.
Where the fat gathers on your body is a genetic thing, and isn't related to what you consumed. Men tend to store more fat on their stomach, whereas women often store it on their hips/thighs/bottom/breasts as well, and that's why you don't see many women who have the same 'spare tyre' that men often have.
2007-12-09 15:32:50 · answer #4 · answered by heleni 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your husband is sort of correct. The reason it seems to just gather there is because that is where men tend to gain weight first. Also a factor is lack of exercise to burn off the excess calories, the alcohol doesn't have anything to do with it other than provide excess calories which turns into fat. It is really a combination of lack of exercise and the excess calories from all the alcohol and junk food.
2007-12-09 10:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by Wiz 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First off, remember that husbands are always right. That said, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. It doesn't matter if it comes from beer or pizza or fat-free yogurt. It all contributes. Men are at a disadvantage in this, as we tend to store fat in the midsection, becoming apple-shaped. Very unhealthy. Women store fat lower down and become pear-staped. Unhealthy, but not as bad. Nobody said that life was fair.
2007-12-09 11:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It all depends on personal metabolism. I have a friend who drinks everyday and I haven't seen him gain an once in 20 years. I on the other hand even look at a beer and I gain 5 lbs.
2007-12-09 11:52:16 · answer #7 · answered by Ransom 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The beer is causing the fat. Beer is high in carbs and thus consuming mass amounts of it will cause fat.
2007-12-09 10:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by Malty21 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's not beer. It's simply food. Alcohol won't cause such a big belly!!
2007-12-09 11:04:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
thats not a beer gut, its a gas tank for a love machine.
2007-12-09 11:58:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋