Do Calories from Drinking go to your Mid Section?

THE CLAIM:

Calories from alcohol go to your midsection.

THE FACTS:

The phenomenon is known by many names -- spare tire, beer belly, beer gut. But do calories from alcohol congregate at the midsection at a greater rate than others? That is not so clear.
In general, drinking causes weight gain primarily because alcohol slows the body's ability to burn fat for energy, not to mention that it increases appetite. The effects of alcohol on the midsection are complicated, but studies show pretty clearly that beer, wine and spirits have a greater effect on belly fat in adults who drink sporadically than in people who drink regularly but in small amounts.

In one study published in The Journal of Nutrition in 2003, a group of scientists followed more than 2,300 drinkers and nondrinkers and found -- after controlling for a number of variables -- that those who averaged a single drink per day had the lowest levels of abdominal fat. Those who drank occasionally but had four or more drinks in one sitting had the greatest levels. Several studies have shown similar results.

One theory is that drinking regularly increases the amount of enzymes that break down alcohol. But more research is needed.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Moderate drinking does not seem to increase abdominal fat. Excessive drinking might.