Alcohol may have some health benefits but can cause serious side effects if consumed in large quantities.
Research shows that excessive alcohol may cause belly fat.
Studies have shown that heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of excess fat storage around your waist ( 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).
Your waistline may shrink if you cut back on alcohol. It doesn’t mean you have to stop drinking alcohol completely. However, it can be helpful to limit how much alcohol you consume in a given day.
More than 2000 people were involved in a study about alcohol consumption. The results showed that those who consumed alcohol daily but less than one drink per week had lower belly fat than those who consumed less alcohol but ate more alcohol on certain days ( 12Trusted Source).
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one for women ( 13Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Increased belly fat has been linked to excessive alcohol consumption. You can lose weight by drinking moderately or completely abstaining from alcohol if you are trying to lose weight.
