O impacto do consumo alcoólico no ganho de peso

Abstract

Background: Due to alcohol's energy content, its intake can meet an individual's daily energy requirements, and/or lead to an individual becoming overweight based on amount, frequency, and pattern of consumption. Objectives: To review alcohol's effect on energy metabolism and its consequences for body weight. Methods: A review of literature was conducted in MEDLINE (Index Medicus), searching with the keywords "alcohol" and "weight gain". Results: Alcohol takes priority in metabolism and affects other metabolic pathways, including lipid oxidation, which facilitates fat accumulation in the body. Depending on the metabolic pathway activated, alcohol can play a different role as an energy source. Conclusions: The energy content of foods consumed together with alcohol and the level of consumption should be monitored to prevent weight gain. Individuals have varying responses to alcohol consumption which are determined by their specific characteristics and possibly by other unknown genetic factors as well.