In present society, belly fat is a growing concern as it has been closely associated to several health issues. Besides making it impossible to fit into some jeans, excess belly fat can cause multiple health problems. These range from heart disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, fatty liver diseases, high cholesterol, and breast cancer (10). The increased risk of acquiring these health issues has lit a fire in most overweight people to strive and get rid of belly fat. Does wine and garlic actually help lose belly fat?
Despite such determination, many are not willing to let go of some things. The most popular drink most people tend to hold on to is their wine. Some of us even believe that wine is good and can even promote weight loss. The question we have to ask: is this a myth or a fact?
The reality is that what we drink has a significant impact on our health and our body weight. In light of this, it is vital to be equipped with the right knowledge about wine and belly fat, to avoid compromising your results.
In this article, we will be looking at the link between wine and belly fat. Our goal is to establish if wine does indeed promote weight loss or rather a driver of weight gain. Read on for further insight into this concept and then use it to your advantage in your weight loss journey.
Truth be told, we have heard and read numerous articles about the negative impact of alcohol on body weight and health. So, right from the word go we know that alcohol is a contributor to belly fat.
There Are Specific Reasons Why This Is The Case
According to Medical News Today, alcohol contributes to belly fat and overall weight gain due to these specific reasons (11):
All alcoholic drinks contain numerous calories. The key to weight loss is maintaining a calorie deficit (6). So, consuming more calories than your body burns only initiates weight gain.
The calories from alcohol are empty calories. It means that they do not have any significance in your body and provide no nutritional benefits (1).
It interferes with your body’s fat-burning mechanisms, hindering the number of calories you burn.
Alcohol interferes with your sleep and digestion. Studies indicate that lack of sleep causes weight gain as it affects your eating patterns, causing you to most likely overeat (12). Likewise, poor digestion slows down your metabolism and can lead to weight gain.
They entail mixers such as soda and fruit juices, increasing the calories in the overall drink.
Alcohol consumption can lower inhibition, making you more likely to eat foods that do not promote weight loss (11).
By understanding these effects on your body weight, you get to make better decisions about including such drinks in your diet plan. The problem still is that most people still want to make excuses when it comes to wine. No doubt you have heard of various debates on whether wine is truly an alcoholic drink.
Just because wine is made from grapes does not mean that it passes as an alcoholic drink. Being that as it may, quit justifying it as it can not pass as fruit juice. Wine is indeed an alcoholic beverage that has been prepared from the fermentation of grapes (13). This means that it may also have the same effects as any other alcoholic beverage.
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Wine And Belly Fat: What’s The Link?
Wine is a staple in most households. The idea of giving up this drink, particularly red wine, is simply mind-boggling to many people. Given this, most of them have gone on a quest to determine the link between red wine and belly fat.
To begin with, there is research showing that drinking wine can help with weight loss (3). According to this study, chemicals in the grapes slow down the growth of existing fat cells. They also dramatically slow down the formation of new fat cells.
This helps in boosting the metabolism of the fatty acids in the liver cells. By boosting the burning of fat in the liver, it helps in weight management, especially among overweight people (3).
Wine And Belly Fat: Drinking Wine Can Promote Weight Loss
Let us now go back to our primary question. Can wine help you get rid of belly fat? Mayo Clinic acknowledges that red wine has a plant-derived chemical known as resveratrol. It is associated with numerous health benefits, some of which potentially include (9):
Reducing the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood (low-density lipoprotein (LDL)).
Lowering your risk of inflammation and blood clotting, which consequently reduces your heart disease risks.
Burning belly fat and decreasing inflammation that tends to be associated with obesity.
Looking at the last health benefit, we might give wine a pass and consider consuming it even while on a weight loss journey. However, you need to consult with your doctor before considering alcohol intake while on a weight loss journey.
Cautions On Drinking Wine To Get Rid Of Belly Fat
Remember that, like any other alcoholic drink, wine also contains calories. So, you will have to watch how much of it you drink if you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Take a look at the profile of the following types of wines, their serving sizes, and calories (4):
5 ounces of white table wine- 128 calories
5 ounces of red table wine- 125 calories
3.5 ounces of white table wine- 157 calories
5 ounces of red Zinfandel- 129 calories
five ounces of Chenin Blanc- 129 calories
5 ounces of Muscat- 129 calories
five ounces of Gewurztraminer- 128 calories
5 ounces of Petite Sirah- 125 calories
five ounces of Cabernet Sauvignon- 122 calories
5 ounces of Pinot Grigio- 128 calories
3.5 ounces of red dessert wine- 165 calories
5 ounces of Claret- 122 calories
Wine And Belly Fat
Similarly, remember that it is not suitable for everyone to consume such drinks. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that people fitting the following criteria should not drink any alcoholic beverage (2):
Any individual who is less than 21 years old.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
People who are recovering from alcoholism or those that cannot control how much they drink.
People with a strong personal or family history of alcoholism.
Community who are scheduled to undergo surgery. Combining wine and anesthesia may slow down your central nervous system to critical levels (13).
People suffering from medical conditions such as pancreatitis (swelling/inflammation of the pancreas), high blood pressure, gout, asthma, heart disease, hypertriglyceridemia, or liver disease. According to Medicine Net, you should also keep away from wine if you have mental problems, neurological conditions, insomnia, porphyria, stomach ulcers, or persistent heartburn (13).
People who are taking various prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Medications such as Chlorpropamide (Diabinese), Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), Cisapride (Propulsid), and Disulfiram (Antabuse) do not interact well with wine (13).
You measure the alcoholic beverages you take in terms of drinks. Typically, one drink of wine contains 5 ounces or 148 ml (9). The number of drinks you have determines if you have been drinking moderately or excessively.
According to the CDC, excessive drinking can be classified into either binge or heavy drinking. In this case, it will mean that you have heard the following drinks (2):
Binge Drinking
Women will have had four or more drinks on one occasion. On the other hand, men will have had five or more drinks, still during a single occasion.
Heavy Drinking
Women will have had eight or more drinks in a week while men will have consumed 15 or more drinks in a one-week timeframe.
When it comes to wine consumption for weight loss, the key is moderation. According to Medical News Today, a glass or two of red wine can be considered part of a healthy diet (7). Here is a more detailed profile on moderate wine consumption depending on your age (9):
Women of all ages-consume a maximum of one drink a day
Men above 65 years old-also consume one drink a day
Men less than 65 years old-the maximum daily intake is two drinks. The limit is higher for men in this age group as men weigh more than women and have more enzymes to metabolize alcohol.
Red Wine And Belly Fat:
If you cannot maintain these wine intake levels, experts recommend you do not take this alcoholic beverage at all. Mayo Clinic acknowledges that alcohol consumption can be addictive (9). So, you may be tempted to exceed the number of drinks you have.
If this were to happen, you will worsen or increase your risk of various health conditions. They include (9):
Pancreas and liver diseases
Stroke
High blood pressure
Heart failure
Weight gain and obesity
Stroke
Various types of cancer
Accidents, suicide, and violence
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Does Wine And Garlic Reduce Belly Fat?
Despite the search on the link between belly fat and wine, some people are also curious about the wine and garlic combo. You may also be curious about the effectiveness of this combo when it comes to reducing belly fat.
We have proven that wine can help you reduce belly fat due to its plant-derived chemical known as resveratrol (9). However, the question remains if combining wine and garlic can help you lose belly fat.
Since garlic is considered a fat-burning food, most people believe that it can help with weight loss. Therefore, most people believe the combo will help you shed some pounds when combined with a bit of wine.
Red Wine And Belly Fat: It Sounds Too Good To Be True Because It Indeed Is
Medical News Today states that one myth most people believe is that ‘fat-burning’ foods can promote weight loss (8). According to the site, most people have developed a list of fat-burning foods.
It includes foods such as broccoli, asparagus, avocado, ginger, pineapple, and of course, garlic. These foods are believed to speed up your body’s metabolism, thereby helping your body burn more fat and promote weight loss (8).
Medical News Today dismisses these beliefs as myths. The site states that there is little evidence to back up how and whether these ‘fat-burning’ foods can help you lose weight (8). Likewise, WebMD also concurs with these findings and states that there is little evidence to prove that garlic can help with obesity (5).
The site acknowledges a need for more research to validate if taking garlic can reduce body weight (5). So, can garlic and wine for belly fat reduction be a good and effective combination?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Research indicates that evidence is lacking to show if wine and garlic are a combination that promote quick weight loss.
Other Tips On How To Trigger Faster Weight Loss By Drinking Wine
Truth be told, you will need to do more than limit your wine intake to reduce your belly fat. In fact, limiting your wine intake might be a fraction of what you are expected to do to budge some belly fat. For faster results, you will also have to adopt the following practices:
Exercise
According to WebMD, exercise is one of the best ways to get rid of belly fat and get a perfect waistline (10). You do not have to hit the gym to work on your belly fat. Instead, you can also take brisk walks for at least one hour a day. Try to get up and move, as this helps your body burn more calories.
Eating Healthy
Good nutrition also supports faster weight loss. Try to keep away from unhealthy food sources such as sugary drinks, fast and processed foods. Go for whole grains and healthy meals and drinks that restrict you to your daily calorie limit. You can, for example, consider healthy drinks such as water and protein shakes (11).
A Calorie Deficit
As mentioned earlier, a calorie deficit is the key to weight loss as it helps you burn more calories than you consume. Remember that you cannot specifically lose belly fat. The same case applies to losing arm or back fat. When it comes to weight loss, you tend to shed weight evenly. A calorie deficit can help you burn extra calories that help you lose weight evenly, including your belly fat.
When it comes to belly fat, there are many myths and misconceptions about what works and what promises faster results. The key is to attain the right knowledge on this to avoid venturing into non-rewarding methods.
Limiting your wine intake to one drink a day can help you reduce your belly fat. However, do not rely on this method alone to help in fixing this part of your body. You also need to exercise, eat healthily, and maintain a calorie deficit.
Diets are great, but your body will thank you if you supplement your healthy nutrition plan with a good workout.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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