What happens to alcohol calories?

22/02/2010 by admin.

Alcohol is a highly concentrated source of calories containing 7 calories per gram.  This compares to 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates and protein and 9 calories per gram for fat.  These calories cannot be converted into glycogen.  Glycogen is the main fuel for used for the body for energetic exercise and is the only source of fuel used by the brain.

The liver converts the calories from alcohol into fat, which is initially stored in the liver before being carried away to permanent storage sites throughout the body.  This is where the term “beer belly” comes from, as much of the fat tends to be stored in the mid-region which is known as visceral fat.  This is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk.  High visceral fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

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