2008 Woodie Awards
Nutrition: What is in my drink?
Ann Janson ; ISU Dietetics Club
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Life
It's been a long week and you are at the bars with friends, or perhaps chilling at home watching the game having a beer. Do you know what you are putting in your body? We all know the psychological effects of alcohol and the dangers of it, but do we know the health implications, especially if you are trying to stay fit? What toll will alcohol take on your body?
A night of binge drinking and partying can provide up to and beyond 3000 calories, and may result in a liver ready to shut down. When alcohol is broken down in the liver, one of the by-products is acetate. This acetate is released into the blood stream, becoming the marker for alcohol blood tests given to those accused of drinking and driving. Acetate's main function in the bloodstream is to displace fat. Therefore acetate becomes the main energy source. Fat will stay stored in the body, until all the acetate is used up. Excess alcohol is stored as fat, more often in the stomach, leading to the ever so attractive beer belly. Alcohol stimulates your appetite, and not for carrots and celery, but for a 2 a.m. run to Jack and the Box.
Having one or two drinks is not going to turn you into the next Homer Simpson, but when consumed in excess alcohol will add extra calories, or extra fat. Not all hope is lost. There are ways to go out to the bars (if of course you are of age) and have a dink or two and not need to run a million miles the next day to burn it off. Try the lower calorie beers. Instead of going for the pre-made drinks, such as a Mikes, ask for a shot with a mixer.
Skipping meals in order to save calories in order to make room for drinks later that night is a less than optimal idea. When you don't eat, your blood sugar levels decrease, and when you consume alcohol it will further lower your blood sugar, which prevents glycogen in your liver from being broken down. At this point many hormones are released, telling your brain you are hungry. So don't skip meals for beer drinking.
So now when you are craving that end of the week drink, that celebration toast of passing a test or the sorrows of failing one, you might have a better idea on where your calories are coming from and where you might want to cut back. Always remember to drink responsibly. This includes drinking only if you are of age, drinking in moderation and never ever drink and drive; Your life and the lives of all those around you are too precious to put in jeopardy. Good luck and CHEERS for the rest of the semester.
A night of binge drinking and partying can provide up to and beyond 3000 calories, and may result in a liver ready to shut down. When alcohol is broken down in the liver, one of the by-products is acetate. This acetate is released into the blood stream, becoming the marker for alcohol blood tests given to those accused of drinking and driving. Acetate's main function in the bloodstream is to displace fat. Therefore acetate becomes the main energy source. Fat will stay stored in the body, until all the acetate is used up. Excess alcohol is stored as fat, more often in the stomach, leading to the ever so attractive beer belly. Alcohol stimulates your appetite, and not for carrots and celery, but for a 2 a.m. run to Jack and the Box.
Having one or two drinks is not going to turn you into the next Homer Simpson, but when consumed in excess alcohol will add extra calories, or extra fat. Not all hope is lost. There are ways to go out to the bars (if of course you are of age) and have a dink or two and not need to run a million miles the next day to burn it off. Try the lower calorie beers. Instead of going for the pre-made drinks, such as a Mikes, ask for a shot with a mixer.
Skipping meals in order to save calories in order to make room for drinks later that night is a less than optimal idea. When you don't eat, your blood sugar levels decrease, and when you consume alcohol it will further lower your blood sugar, which prevents glycogen in your liver from being broken down. At this point many hormones are released, telling your brain you are hungry. So don't skip meals for beer drinking.
So now when you are craving that end of the week drink, that celebration toast of passing a test or the sorrows of failing one, you might have a better idea on where your calories are coming from and where you might want to cut back. Always remember to drink responsibly. This includes drinking only if you are of age, drinking in moderation and never ever drink and drive; Your life and the lives of all those around you are too precious to put in jeopardy. Good luck and CHEERS for the rest of the semester.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mick Hart
posted 4/03/07 @ 1:10 AM MST
If there is any effect of HGH, it is likely to be a small effect, especially
compared to how anabolic steroids improve strength and baseball performance. (Continued…)
Alcohol Rehabilitation
posted 9/27/08 @ 12:01 PM MST
In my opinion, as long as you drink not so much, but enough to chill out, there is no problem with what you are drinking. The problem appears when you drink too much. (Continued…)
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