Best time to drink wine this Christmas to help body burn more fat, according to experts

Rory Poulter & Steven Smith & Elysia Taylor-Hearn
·2-min read
-Credit:Getty
-Credit:Getty


The Christmas period is the prime time to indulge in a bit more boozing than the rest of the year. While it's important not to over-indulge, festive revellers can actually burn fat more effectively if they drink their wine at certain times.

According to luxury chalet providers Ski Vertigo, timing your tipple with your body's natural rhythms could yield health benefits beyond relaxation. The surprising findings could prove a game-changer as the festive season gets under way and Christmas-lovers look to indulge in guilt-free celebrations.

Ski Vertigo's experts advise: "Timing your wine consumption to align with your body's natural rhythms can make a noticeable difference. It's a simple lifestyle tweak that allows you to enjoy your indulgences without compromising your health or fitness goals."

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Particularly during the festive period, this unusual advice could be highly welcome
Particularly during the festive period, this unusual advice could be highly welcome -Credit:Paul David Drabble

They explain that our bodies operate on a 24-hour "internal clock" that impacts everything from our sleep to digestion. Studies show that our metabolic rate varies during this cycle, meaning that we process food and drink more efficiently at certain times throughout the day.

Alcohol is metabolised differently to proteins or carbs, and the time at which you drink it can affect how your body burns calories. Because of this, specialists suggest cracking open the wine in the late afternoon or early evening, between 4pm and 7pm.

During this window, your metabolism is sufficiently active to process alcohol quickly, limiting the chances of it being stored as fat, Surrey Live reports.

Avoid drinking too close to bedtime
Avoid drinking too close to bedtime

Drinking earlier in the evening also reduces the chances of damaging your sleep pattern, which carries unintended consequences for weight-watchers. Alcohol can disturb your REM sleep, the stage of rest that is crucial for repairing muscles, driving metabolism, and balancing hormones.

Brazilian researchers have found that too little REM sleep can increase your cortisol levels, which causes the body to store more fat, especially around your middle. The experts at Ski Vertigo stress that, as with any dietary advice, balance and moderation is key to achieving optimum health.

The organisation's nutritionists recommend pairing your tipple with food that contains plenty of lean protein and good fats, like white fish, tofu, and legumes, to keep your blood sugar steady.

This advice is echoed by the NHS, which stresses the health benefits of eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions. The health authority advises drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more. That's the same as 6 medium glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer, per week.

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