Study reveals how alcohol shifts brain into 'starvation mode'

Conclusion Alcohol is no friend of people trying to lose weight, or stick to a healthy weight. Not only is it high in calories (the second most energy-dense nutrient after fat), but it tends to be linked to a desire to eat more. Scientists have suggested various theories to explain this. One theory is that alcohol erodes willpower, meaning people are likely to eat more than they intended after a drink. That could also explain why people often pick less healthy options, such as crisps or kebabs, if they've been drinking. This new research suggests an alternative explanation – that the specific effect of alcohol on brain cells could trigger "an attack of the munchies". But while the results seem reasonably convincing for mice, we still don't know if they hold true for humans. Also, rather than drinking it, the mice were given injections of alcohol, which might have a different effect. Even so, the research is a reminder that alcohol and overeating can go hand in hand. If you're planning on shifting a few pounds in 2017, cutting back on alcohol, or avoiding it entirely, could be a positive first step. In the UK, the government recommends that men and women drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. That is: nine small glasses of average strength wine seven pints of average strength beer or lager 14 single measures of spirits The advice is to spread those units over three or more days, and to have several alcohol-free days each week. Read more tips ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Food/diet Source Type: news