Alcohol inhibits lipolysis (fat burning) and glycolysis (glucose burning) because it is the first to burn.

"First to burn," meaning you will process ingested alcohol calories first, delaying the burning of other fuels until the alcohol has been metabolized. 

As far as appetite - We all know that alcohol gives you the munchies, triggering an area of the brain that controls hunger. And when you do eat, those calories are more likely to be stored as fat. When alcohol is consumed in conjunction with carbohydrates, such as in most mixed drinks (daiquiris, margaritas, etc.), carbohydrate metabolism is put on hold while the alcohol calories are burned.

Alcohol can also detract from fat loss goals by contributing empty calories (that you will burn before tapping into stored body fat), interfering with other ingested calories (promoting the conversion of ingested carbs into fat), and like mentioned earlier increasing appetite. 

If alcohol is to be consumed, it is best consumed alone to mitigate fat storage concerns, and, of course, in a moderate manner.

Alcohol can also compromise athlete performance and recovery in varied ways. It can mess with your deep sleep cycles, and the critical hormonal processes (such as the release of Human Growth Hormone during deep sleep) that repair and rejuvenate your body for the next day.

As long as you aren’t looking to lose weight, a modest drink here or there shouldn’t make much of a difference. If you’re looking to lose weight, however, I would suggest avoiding alcohol altogether.

If you are going to have a drink - don’t make a mixed drink and reach for a high quality Tequila or a rich, high quality organic red wine. Organic red wine boasts higher antioxidant and resveratrol content as well as lower OTA mycotoxin contamination while tequila, when compared to wines, beers, and ciders, contains no carbohydrates, no sugar, and fewer calories.

If you love the Get Lean Eat Clean Podcast, we’d love for you to subscribe, rate, and give a review on iTunes. Until next time!

Links:

Watch Get Lean Eat Clean podcast video episodes on YouTube!

https://www.21dayfastingchallenge.com/

X3 Bar: Variable Resistance Technology allows for a full body workout in only 10 minutes! Use discount code "Save50" for $50 off your purchase! | https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100286468-13650338

Interested in becoming a Keto Coach - Here's a certification for you!

https://kate-jaramillo.mykajabi.com/a/13557/nwzmzvre

| Listen to the Get Lean Eat Clean Podcast |

►iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-lean-eat-clean/id1540391210

►Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0QmJzYZsdV6tUNbDxaPJjS

| Connect with Brian |

►Website | https://www.briangryn.com

►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/bdgryn

►Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/getleanandeatclean

►Twitter | https://twitter.com/grynnerwinner