Drinking alcohol can impact body weight in several ways, primarily due to its high calorie content and its effects on metabolism and appetite regulation.

1. High Caloric Intake: Alcohol is calorie-dense, providing 7 calories per gram, which is higher than carbohydrates or protein (each at 4 calories per gram). A single drink, like a glass of wine or a beer, can add anywhere from 100 to 200 calories or more to your daily intake without providing any nutritional benefit. Regularly consuming alcohol can lead to excess calorie consumption, contributing to weight gain over time.
2. Metabolism Disruption: When you drink alcohol, your body prioritizes metabolizing it over other nutrients because alcohol is toxic in high amounts. This can slow down the body's ability to burn fat. Essentially, when alcohol is in your system, your body stops metabolizing fats and carbs efficiently, which may lead to fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.
3. Impact on Appetite: Alcohol can stimulate appetite and lower inhibitions, leading to overeating or poor food choices. People often consume more calories from food when drinking, especially high-fat or high-carb options like snacks and fast food.
4. Hormonal Effects: Alcohol can affect hormones like insulin, cortisol, and leptin, which are involved in hunger, fat storage, and stress responses. Changes in these hormone levels can contribute to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight.
5. Dehydration and Fatigue: Alcohol can cause dehydration and affect sleep quality. This can result in fatigue, which might reduce motivation for physical activity and contribute to weight gain.

Overall, regular alcohol consumption, particularly in large amounts, can contribute to weight gain by adding excess calories, disrupting fat metabolism, and promoting overeating. Limiting alcohol intake or choosing lower-calorie options like light beer or spirits with low-calorie mixers can help manage its impact on body weight

Drinking alcohol during red light therapy for weight loss can hinder results because alcohol is a toxin that the body prioritizes processing over fat metabolism. It also inhibits the function of the lymphatic system, which is essential for filtering body fat and waste products. This interference slows the body’s natural detoxification and fat elimination processes, reducing the effectiveness of red light therapy. Limiting alcohol intake can help improve lymphatic function and enhance weight loss results from the therapy.

Switching to mocktails, also known as non-alcoholic cocktails, with adaptogens can aid weight loss by reducing calorie intake and avoiding the fat-storing effects of alcohol. Adaptogens help regulate stress hormones like cortisol, which are linked to fat accumulation, while also boosting metabolism and energy levels. This switch supports better recovery, reduces inflammation, and promotes the lymphatic system’s ability to filter fat and detoxify the body. Visit our adaptogenic mocktail assortment during your next visit. We offer some fun and tasty substitutions to your normal happy hour libations that may help you feel that mild "buzz" without all of the negative side effects of consuming alcohol.