Sweet Surrender: Alcohol Vs Desserts

Alcohol or dessert—which is worse? This is a tricky question, as both have their pros and cons. Alcohol is calorie-dense, with almost the same calories per gram as pure fat. It also contains no nutrients (except for wine, which has antioxidants from grapes). On the other hand, dessert is usually made with sugar, butter, and oil, but can sometimes include nutritious ingredients like dark chocolate, nuts, or coconut. Alcohol consumption can negatively impact your metabolism and sleep quality, and it can be costly. However, desserts can be shared, reducing the overall intake of sugar and fat. Ultimately, the decision to give up alcohol or dessert depends on individual preferences and goals. Some may choose to cut back on alcohol to improve their health, save money, or have more energy. Others may opt to reduce dessert consumption to control their weight.

Alcohol calories halt fat burning

Alcohol contains a high number of calories—about 7 calories per gram, which is almost as high as a gram of fat. A standard glass of wine can contain up to 158 calories, and some pints of stronger lager can contain up to 222 calories. Mixed cocktails can contain up to 500 calories per drink.

When you consume alcohol, your body prioritises processing these calories, and all fat and carb oxidation comes to a halt until the alcohol is burned off. This can take up to 36 hours, during which your body will not be burning any fat. Additionally, the high caloric content of alcohol can lead to increased cravings for foods that will increase your blood sugar quickly, such as low-fibre starches and salty foods like french fries. This can result in consuming more calories, further hindering weight loss goals.

Alcohol not only contributes empty calories to your daily intake but also interferes with the body's ability to burn fat. It takes precedence over other metabolic processes, forcing your body to pause breaking down food calories or stored fat until the alcohol is eliminated from your system. This disruption can lead to the storage of recently consumed food as fat.

Therefore, if weight control is a priority, reducing alcohol consumption can be more effective than giving up desserts. While desserts also provide a significant amount of calories and sugar, they usually offer some nutritional value, especially if they include dark chocolate, nuts, or coconut. Additionally, sharing a dessert with a friend can be a healthier option than consuming multiple drinks, as you're avoiding the toxic effects of alcohol while still enjoying a treat in moderation.

Alcohol is toxic, desserts aren't

Alcohol is a toxic substance, whereas desserts are not. As soon as alcohol is consumed, all fat and carb oxidation stops, and the body prioritises burning off the alcohol over burning stored body fat. Alcohol is detrimental to one's metabolism and can have damaging effects on the brain and liver. Desserts, on the other hand, do not halt fat-burning processes in the same way. While they provide a large load of fats and carbs, the body continues to burn them off.

Alcohol is calorific, with fancy cocktails containing up to 500 calories per drink. Alcohol also weakens willpower, leading to increased calorie consumption. Desserts can also be high in calories, but they can provide some nutritional value, especially if they contain dark chocolate, nuts, or coconut. Alcohol, in comparison, has no nutritional value beyond a few antioxidants in wine.

Alcohol can negatively impact relationships and cause low moods and hangovers. Giving it up can improve relationships and free up time for new experiences. Quitting alcohol can also bring financial benefits, as alcohol consumption can be expensive. Finally, reducing alcohol intake can improve sleep quality and concentration during the day.

While giving up desserts may be a good idea for weight management, giving up alcohol provides additional health benefits due to its toxic nature.

Alcohol has no nutrients

Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of kilojoules and calories but have no nutritional benefits. The alcohol in drinks (ethanol) is made from fermented sugars in foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables. The sugars are converted to ethanol, meaning the alcohol itself in beer, wine, and spirits is a concentrated form of energy (measured in kilojoules). This energy in alcoholic drinks represents "empty calories", meaning they are high in kilojoules but do not deliver any nutritional benefit.

When alcohol is mixed with sugary drinks (known as 'mixers'), alcoholic drinks contain even more kilojoules. For example, a can of soft drink and two shots of whiskey contain approximately 1,200 kJ, which is equivalent to the energy content of a small meal. If you are drinking wine, you will get some antioxidants from the grapes the wine is made with, but beyond that, you are not getting many nutrients.

Alcohol can also cause damage to the organs involved in digesting, absorbing, and processing nutrients. The body also prioritizes metabolizing alcohol at the expense of other nutrients. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies in those who drink at high-risk levels. The key nutrients affected include proteins and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which may contribute to liver disease and other serious alcohol-related disorders.

Alcohol also diminishes protein synthesis, resulting in a decrease in muscle buildup. It also impedes muscle growth and causes dehydration, slowing down the body's ability to heal. It is a toxin that travels through the bloodstream to every organ and tissue in the body.

Alcohol negatively affects sleep

While it is generally better to give up alcohol than desserts, it is important to understand the negative impact of alcohol on sleep quality and duration. Alcohol can negatively affect sleep in several ways, and understanding these mechanisms can help highlight why giving up alcohol may be a good idea.

Firstly, alcohol interferes with the sleep cycle. Typically, a night of sleep consists of four stages, starting with three non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stages and ending with the rapid eye movement (REM) stage. This cycle repeats every 90 to 120 minutes, with NREM sleep dominating the first part of the night and REM sleep increasing later in the night. Alcohol disrupts this cycle, reducing the amount of time spent in REM sleep. This is problematic because REM sleep is crucial for healing, memory consolidation, and feeling rested. As a result, you may wake up feeling tired, even if you slept for a full night.

Secondly, alcohol can worsen sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where tissues in the nose or throat collapse, temporarily obstructing the airway and causing repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Alcohol consumption causes the throat and tongue muscles to relax, increasing the likelihood of these pauses in breathing. It also affects blood vessels in the nose, further increasing airway resistance. These physiological changes caused by alcohol consumption can significantly worsen sleep apnea symptoms and disrupt sleep.

Thirdly, alcohol can increase the risk of developing insomnia, a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Heavy alcohol use can lead to insomnia symptoms, and as many as three-quarters of people with alcohol dependence experience insomnia when they drink. Alcohol can act as a sleep aid, helping people fall asleep faster. However, it negatively impacts sleep quality and duration, leading to a night of restless sleep and excessive tiredness the next day.

Finally, alcohol can affect sleep indirectly by influencing dietary choices. Alcohol weakens willpower, causing people to eat more calories than they otherwise might. This can lead to weight gain and further disrupt sleep, creating a cycle of unhealthy habits.

In conclusion, alcohol can negatively affect sleep in multiple ways, including disrupting the sleep cycle, worsening sleep apnea, increasing the risk of insomnia, and indirectly influencing dietary choices. Understanding these mechanisms highlights the potential benefits of giving up alcohol, particularly if sleep quality and duration are important to you.

Alcohol is expensive

Alcohol is calorific, with almost the same calories per gram as pure fat. Drinking alcohol also stops your body from burning any other fats until the alcohol is burned off, and it's very bad for your metabolism. Alcohol can also reduce the amount of REM sleep you get, which can affect your concentration during the day.

Alcohol is also expensive in terms of the financial cost. Depending on how much you drink, you could save a lot of money by cutting back. For example, 1 in 3 Irish people spend between €30 to €75 a week on alcohol. If you're drinking fancy cocktails, you could be consuming 500 calories per drink, and drinks quickly add up when you're out.

If you're drinking alcohol at home, it's still an expense that can be cut down. A bottle of wine or spirits can easily cost upwards of £15. These costs add up over time, and cutting down on alcohol can save you money.

Quitting or reducing alcohol is easier with support. It's a good idea to see your doctor first, and to have a plan. You might prefer to quit alcohol all at once, or to slowly reduce your drinking over time. Having a clear goal in mind can help you stay motivated, and it's helpful to have a support network of friends and family who can help you achieve your goal.

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