After summer, many men find their stomachs have gotten bigger. Is it from drinking too much beer and developing a "beer belly"? For many, a beer belly is seen as a result of drinking beer. So, is the development of a beer belly really related to beer? How can it be eliminated, and what can be done to ensure good health?
Beer is not high in calories and does not cause weight gain
"The calorie content of beer is very low. Drinking too much might at most make your stomach feel bloated, but it won't cause weight gain," a nutritionist explains. Although beer is known as "liquid bread," consuming it does not lead to obesity.
From a nutritional standpoint, the actual source of energy in alcoholic beverages is the alcohol itself. The higher the alcohol content, the higher the calorie count. Although beer, like baijiu and red wine, contains nutrients such as sugar, protein, and amino acids, its relatively low alcohol content means it actually has fewer calories compared to other alcoholic beverages. 100ml of beer contains about 40 calories, whereas 100ml of 52-proof baijiu has around 300 calories.
The nutritionist provided a reporter with some data. She stated that compared to other beverages, 300ml of beer has 120 calories, while 240ml of milk, orange juice, and apple juice have 140, 105, and 117 calories respectively.
Abdominal obesity is not caused by a bloated stomach from drinking
A nutritionist explains that a beer belly is essentially abdominal obesity, which is a buildup of fat in the abdomen and has little to do with drinking.
"If there is any relationship between a beer belly and drinking, it's that drinking often leads to an increased intake of food. Long-term drinking naturally causes excessive food consumption, leading to obesity," she explains. The development of a beer belly has many causes. Primarily, it's due to obesity from overeating. It is also related to age; generally, middle-aged people are more prone to beer bellies. This is related to the drinker's physique, endocrine system, and level of physical activity. People tend to gain weight as they get older, and a beer belly is a clear sign of this.
Mr. Li, a fitness coach at a gym in the city, says that the abdomen is the area where men most easily accumulate fat, mainly due to long hours of sitting at a desk and lack of exercise. Additionally, under high work pressure, many people overeat, leading to indigestion and excessive weight gain.
Develop good lifestyle habits
So what are the health risks associated with a beer belly? The nutritionist says that if the abdominal obesity is severe, the resulting health threats cannot be ignored.
"From a medical perspective, abdominal obesity is closely linked to numerous health problems, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers." She explains that abdominal obesity is one of the main factors that accelerate aging. It has been proven that more than 15 fatal diseases are directly related to abdominal obesity, including coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, breast cancer, and liver and kidney failure.
In response, Coach Li also says that men with abdominal obesity should improve their lifestyle. First, they should set aside time for exercise every day. Whether at the gym or exercising at home, the workout should be at least 30 minutes long. Moreover, while doing full-body exercises, it's best to also focus on abdominal exercises.
The nutritionist reminds that one should have regular meals and pay attention to alcohol consumption. Drinking is closely related to calorie intake and food consumption, so controlling alcohol intake is a key part of developing good eating habits.
Furthermore, for men who already have a beer belly, it's important to try and control the intake of sweets. Pastries and sugary foods should be avoided as much as possible, and it's advisable to drink plenty of water daily.