Does Alcohol Break a Fast? Plus 3 Side Effects

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Alcohol is something you should stay clear of when losing weight.

This beverage contains too many calories and sugar that can disrupt your overall weight loss progress. Drinking alcohol on special occasions is believed to be safe, but exceeding the recommended amount could contribute to stubborn body fat and future heart diseases. It can also spike up your blood glucose.

Moderate drinking is fine on a normal diet. Does that mean it’s suitable for fasting? Some people might ask this question outside of their chosen eating window. 

In this article, you’ll discover if drinking alcohol breaks a fast. 

What Happens if You Drink Alcohol While Fasting?

People who drink alcohol during a fast can hinder fat-burning mechanisms. This is because your body relies on current fat stores for energy. So, if you feed the body calories, it will quickly latch onto those and stop reducing your body fat over time.

Even though alcohol ruins intermittent fasting, it’s not good to have on an empty stomach regardless. The drunk-inducing chemicals are quickly absorbed into your system and affect coordination. Of course, once you’re intoxicated, it will take a while to be sober again. 

Your body is more focused on getting rid of the alcohol instead of burning fat. This isn’t something you want during a weight loss journey, as it slows down long-term results. It’s better to avoid alcohol while intermittent fasting and stick to having lots of water or plain tea. 

Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks don’t offer many health benefits, especially when it comes to weight loss. You should only have moderate alcohol consumption after you’ve reached your goals. It’s not worth disrupting any progress just to have one drink, so keep that in mind while intermittent fasting. 

Let’s take a look at the 3 side effects of a high alcohol intake:

#1 Promotes weight gain

There are lots of ways alcohol can lead to future weight gain. It stops your body from burning fat and weakness the metabolism, meaning you won’t burn those extra calories. A moderate intake is fine, but always be aware that alcohol can disrupt long-term intermittent fasting progress. 

Since alcohol is high in calories, it may exceed your daily calorie intake. People who want to lose weight safely usually stick to 1,500 calories or more a day, but some alcoholic drinks ruin that. Even just one can of beer has 153 calories, which can be replaced with a healthy snack.

One final thing to note is that alcohol consumption makes you hungry. These drinks stimulate the brain’s hunger hormones and cause those intense cravings. If you’re trying to cut down on junk food, drinking lots of alcohol might not help your urges to eat sugary meals.

#2 May promote inflammation

Alcohol contains toxins that can damage your cells, tissue, and organs. Of course, this isn’t something you need when building healthy lifestyle habits. Chronic inflammation may lead to type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, insulin resistance, and certain bowel diseases.

#3 Raises blood pressure

Those who consume alcohol most likely have blood pressure spikes. Alcohol increases renin – a hormone that constricts blood vessels. Smaller vessels mean your body has to forcefully push more blood through them, leading to hypertension symptoms like stomach and chest pain.

Even moderate alcohol consumption can raise blood sugar levels. Too much glucose causes hyperglycemia, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. Naturally, there will be an increased risk of heart disease and other serious health issues, so try to avoid excessive drinking.

What Drinks Won’t Break a Fast?

There are a few drinks you can have that won’t break intermittent fasting.

One of these beverages includes plain water, which is the best option for losing that stubborn weight. Not everyone enjoys this natural drink, but your body needs it to function properly. Men need around 12 cups of water a day and women need 9 cups to stay healthy in the long term.

You can also drink plain tea or black coffee. Just make sure not to add sugars and milk, as these contain calories that break fasting. The more calories you consume throughout the fasting window, the more likely your body won’t burn fat and continue the weight loss efforts.

These options might not appear diverse, but it’s better to consume zero-calorie beverages during intermittent fasting. You don’t want to reach a fasting plateau that sets you back a few weeks. Just remember that alcoholic mixed drinks are also a bad idea for your fast. 

Conclusion

So, can you drink alcohol while fasting?

People with a high alcohol intake usually don’t lose enough weight. It’s very important that you avoid excessive alcohol consumption, even during your eating window. Calorie-dense products often promote future weight gain and hinder the body’s ability to burn that stubborn fat.