If you’re trying to lose weight and feel like you’re doing everything right but the scale is stuck, alcohol might be part of the problem. Dr. Corey Howard, a board-certified internist and functional medicine physician, can help you identify the habits that are interfering with your health goals. At Howard Health & Wellness in Naples, Florida, we’re here to cut through the noise and create a plan that fits your life.
Here are five ways alcohol may be quietly working against your progress:
1. It Slows Down Fat Burning
Your liver is central to metabolism, but when you drink, it shifts gears. Alcohol becomes the priority, and fat metabolism gets sidelined. That means the food you eat while drinking or soon after is more likely to be stored as fat rather than used for energy.
2. It Adds a Lot of Calories, Fast
Alcohol is full of empty calories. Two glasses of wine or a couple of mixed drinks can easily add up to hundreds of extra calories that don’t satisfy hunger. Pair that with the snacks or takeout that often follow drinking, and your calorie count climbs even higher.
3. It Disrupts Hormones and Sleep
Alcohol messes with your sleep quality, and poor sleep has a direct impact on weight. It increases ghrelin (which ramps up hunger) and decreases leptin (which signals fullness).
It may also affect estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, all hormones tied to fat storage and metabolism. As these hormones shift with age, alcohol can amplify their effects, making weight loss even harder in your 40s and 50s.
4. It Raises Cortisol and Blood Sugar
Drinking can lead to a quick rise and fall in blood sugar, setting you up for craving carbs and salty snacks. If you’re already prone to impulsive eating, alcohol lowers your ability to make intentional choices.
A recent study found that people with higher impulsivity lost more weight when they cut back on alcohol, likely because they were better able to stay consistent with their nutrition goals.
5. It Disrupts Your Routine
Even light drinking can throw off your rhythm. Poor sleep, skipped workouts, bloating, or that next-day “why did I eat that?” feeling all add up. One night of drinking can spill into a weekend of trying to get back on track, and that cycle can slow down your weight loss efforts.
Build a Plan That Works
Dr. Corey Howard offers concierge-level care that includes metabolic testing, hormone evaluation, and a clear path forward. We also offer semaglutide and tirzepatide, which may be used to supplement your weight loss.
Call 239-331-2285 to schedule your consultation in Naples today.
