Physiology Question Re: Alcohol and Fat Storage

[Ele'ill]

I'm kind of tired of picking through the debate regarding this topic. I know alcohol is toxic, I know it leads to cravings and overeating and stuff. Here's an example of a situation for simplicity:

I am thin and athletic most of my days after workouts involve walking around a lot so I am active. Heavier workout at 8-9 AM after drinking 1L water + caffeine. All workout done with 10-15lb pack on. Workout involved all together about 4 miles of walking, and roughly 30 minutes to an hour of both stair climbs 2 at a time and mountain hiking. This was followed by push ups and core work. cliff notes- basically a light HIT workout and calisthenics. I have no idea how many calories were burned that isn't exactly the point of this thread yet (I know it comes into play just relax). Post workout 1 banana and 1-2 cups of peanuts were consumed (I don't care about post workout nutrition comments, I know, just save it). Water is consumed throughout this day but nothing else is eaten.

What happens if at 8 or 9pm I drink 1-2 24oz coors lights? A lot of the stuff online says that my body stops burning fat and prioritizes the alcohol consumption for energy. My question is then, if I'm thin and haven't eaten anything, who gives a shit, wouldn't that still end up with at least maintenance? Wouldn't there likely still be a huge overhead? What exactly is being prioritized and used for energy in the alcoholic beverage is it the carbs or is it the 'alcohol' or something else or all of it?

Another example would be, what if I consumed the example of 1-2 24oz coors lights and then an hour or two later went and ate a lean protien source and say some veggies/fruit?

[Slavic]

Without bothering to search for specific details I can just give you some general knowledge I've gleaned out of my Biochem degree.

For starters, alcohol is only toxic if your rate of intake exceeds your rate of excretion. This applies to everything but I'm sure you know that, anyways.

The carbohydrates and the ethanol only share a common pathway in the TCA cycle so I don't think there is any prioritization over which compound is metabolized first. Ethanol metabolism does produce energy but pales in comparison to your typical glycolysis.

Whenever you introduce energy producing compounds into your system, they are metabolized first before any fat or glycogen reserves. So what your read online about the body stopping its fat burning is correct, but this is only reserve fat and not any fats you are consuming.

What is your goal? Maintaining/Losing/Gaining weight? If your just trying to maintain then a few beers later in the night is not going to throw you off your goals. Unless your sneaking in high calorie treats, I'd imagine your running at near or bellow your daily calorie needs.

The only reason why beers get a bad rap with regards to weight gain is because they are high in calories and can be quickly consumed in multiples. They themselves are not bad, its just that they can very easily be abused and result in large amounts of calories.

[Ele'ill]

What is your goal? Maintaining/Losing/Gaining weight? If your just trying to maintain then a few beers later in the night is not going to throw you off your goals. Unless your sneaking in high calorie treats, I'd imagine your running at near or bellow your daily calorie needs.

.....I am def. at maintenance for the bf% i'm at if not at a caloric deficit (think I am still dropping). The workouts I'm doing are probably gonna require more than what I'm giving my body currently although my current diet is healthy. It would probably be best to just avoid alcohol as I've mentioned I want to do but sometimes like last night I am sitting in a park in the summer afternoon, its gorgeous out, I'm kind of bored, and the option to drink beer is there. My main question was probably in light of thermogenics and if I am in a caloric deficit or if I am at maintenance with the beers included in daily diet, I won't gain weight(?)

[Slavic]

.....I am def. at maintenance for the bf% i'm at if not at a caloric deficit (think I am still dropping). The workouts I'm doing are probably gonna require more than what I'm giving my body currently although my current diet is healthy. It would probably be best to just avoid alcohol as I've mentioned I want to do but sometimes like last night I am sitting in a park in the summer afternoon, its gorgeous out, I'm kind of bored, and the option to drink beer is there. My main question was probably in light of thermogenics and if I am in a caloric deficit or if I am at maintenance with the beers included in daily diet, I won't gain weight(?)


Given what you've provided, you shouldn't gain weight with a few beers. That is without know the specifics of your calorie intake. If you want you tally your calorie intake and compare it to what someone of your height, age, gender, and weight needs. There are plenty of online tools that do this as well as give estimates for the amount of calories you burn in your workouts. If you get your calorie intake then you can "drink" around this number so to speak.

I've actually embarked about 3 months ago on a weight gain expedition. Put on approx 10lbs muscle. 5' 10" 135lbs to 145lbs. Besides daily workouts I always make sure that my calorie intake is higher than the amount I am burning. If you can figure out your thermodynamics, then you can see where you are and what you need to do to accomplish your goal.

[Ele'ill]

I haven't done that type of maths since I was lifting heavy too much work will trial and error instead because its more fun

[Slavic]

I haven't done that type of maths since I was lifting heavy too much work will trial and error instead because its more fun

True, all you really need is a scale.

The rest is just inferring off of that.