Studies have shown that in the short term, alcohol stimulates food intake and can also accentuate subjective feelings of hunger. Other studies have shown that the stimulatory effects of alcohol on food intake are controlled by hormonal regulation of satiety and satiation, such as the hormone leptin. Regardless of the cause, the outcome is the same; people consume more food when they have consumed alcohol.

Your body considers alcohol a poison, and all efforts are made to excrete it, including the cessation of maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that alcohol interferes with all three sources of glucose and the hormones needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The greatest impact is seen in those who drink heavily on a frequent basis. Heavy drinkers deplete their glycogen stores within a few hours when their diet does not provide a sufficient amount of carbohydrates. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can decrease insulin's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar levels. One study showed that 45% to 70% of people with alcoholic liver disease had either glucose intolerance or diabetes.

Regulating your calorie consumption is the key to successful weight loss and maintenance. A balanced diet will assist with curbing your hunger and providing the necessary nutrients for health and wellness. Alcohol is not considered a necessary component in a healthy diet. Instead, it provides a lot of calories and negatively impacts many aspects of your health.

Does Alcohol have any health benefits?

Despite what the popular media tells you, consumption of high amounts of alcohol is not healthy for you. When alcohol is metabolized there are potentially toxic products resulting from the breakdown of alcohol. The major alcohol-metabolizing enzymes are alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). The enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase converts alcohol to acetaldehyde, which can react with other proteins in the cell to generate hybrid molecules known as adducts. These hybrid protein molecules can cause cell degeneration or damage. CYP2E1 also generates acetaldehyde, as well as highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules called oxygen radicals, including the hydroxyethyl radical (HER) molecule. Elevated levels of oxygen radicals can generate a state of oxidative stress, which through various mechanisms leads to cell damage.  It depresses the central nervous system and can also precipitate cardiac arrhythmia. Modest concentrations depress inhibitory neurons, thereby turning the introvert into a talkative exhibitionist. With higher concentrations there is an impairment of cerebella function, causing slurred speech, poor hand-eye coordination and unsteadiness. Subsequently, sensation, consciousness, and then brainstem functions are depressed. Alcohol also has a heightened affect on the Hypothalamus. This is the inhibitory region of the brain. One of the principle things that the hypothalamus is responsible for is inhibiting sexual and anger impulses.