Is beer fattening? Is it more caloric than soda or bread?

Beer is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages around the world, being produced in different ways, by many different brands. It can also be produced by hand, and there are several types, such as dark beer and non-alcoholic beer.

With that, there are also many discussions about its effects on the body. Popularly, beer is known as a fattening drink. The famous “beer belly” is one of the most popular expressions about this possible effect.

But after all, does beer make you fat or not? If so, is it the carbohydrates or the alcohol content? Or are they the side dishes?

In this text, we are going to talk a little bit about beer and explain if this drink is fattening or not, trying to answer these questions. Continue reading and check it out!

Contents

Is it true that beer is fattening?

It depends. Beer is a drink that can lead to weight gain because it is highly caloric. The gain in body mass will occur according to the amount consumed, the amount of calories consumed in other foods and the amount of calories burned by the individual.

First of all, it is important to note that beer is a highly caloric drink. When large amounts of calories are consumed and not burned, they are stored and turned into fat.

That is, just like any other caloric source, beer will only cause an increase in weight if the amount of calories ingested is greater than the amount burned.

The calories in beer come in part from the amount of carbohydrate in the drink. However, this is not the only factor that makes it caloric: alcohol itself is more caloric than carbohydrates.

In addition, alcohol, once consumed, is immediately used as an energy source, because it cannot be stored by the body. This causes other foods consumed while drinking beer to be stored much more easily, leading to an increase in body fat.

In addition to this, there is the fact that alcohol is a stimulant for appetite. In addition to impairing the restriction (the judgment of what to eat or not), studies show an increase in appetite when alcohol is consumed.

Knowing that many people have the habit of drinking beer while eating snacks, it is easy to understand the increase in weight of those who drink frequently.

Beer gives belly?

Not necessarily. Studies show that the region of fat accumulation depends on numerous factors, both physical and genetic.

It is not possible to say, therefore, that the consumption of beer will increase fat in that region specifically. Still, the abdomen is a common area for this buildup.

In addition, one of the effects of beer that leads to increased volume in the abdominal region is fluid retention.

As nutritionist Angela Federau explains, “the point about alcohol is that it ends up being a dehydrator in our body, causing us to retain more liquid. So weight gain is not always fat, sometimes it is bloating ”.

A good way to reduce it, according to her, is hydration. Drinking a glass of water between the consumption of a can and another of beer is a good way to maintain hydration and decrease fluid retention.

The nutritionist also concludes that, in order to consume beer without gaining weight, it is necessary to calculate consumption with the caloric amount ingested in other foods. To eliminate excess and prevent the accumulation of fat, the burning of excess calories happens through the practice of physical exercises.

How many calories do you have?

A glass or can of beer has, on average, 150 calories, varying more or less according to the brand and type of beer.

Which beer is fattening less?

There are many beer options in the beer market. Some of these are designed for those who want to drink beer but do not want to exceed the calories in the diet. They contain a smaller amount of calorie sources in the composition, such as a reduced alcohol content or less carbohydrates.

In this sense, non-alcoholic beers are a good option.

In addition, there are light beers, produced in order to have a lower energy value. Some of this type have less than half the calories present in traditional beer.

There are still pure malt beers, which do not contain the carbohydrates derived from wheat and a smaller amount of gluten . Just like light beers, pure malt is also an option for those who do not want to put on weight.

Does beer make you fatter than bread or soda?

Beer is fattening according to excessive consumption, due to the large amount of carbohydrates and the high caloric content of alcohol.

In comparison to bread or soda, foods also known to cause weight gain, beer can gain weight mainly due to alcohol-related factors.

With regard to calories, these three products have a very similar amount (around 150 calories in a can of beer or soda or bread).

What changes between them is the source of those calories. In beer, in addition to alcohol there is gluten – just like in bread – while in soda there is a great addition of sugars.


As we saw in this text, beer is a drink that can lead to weight gain. However, moderate consumption and the balance of the amount of calories with physical exercise can maintain the ideal weight.

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