Advertisement

Drinking this surprising amount of wine daily could lead to obesity

Photo credit: bs-photo - Getty Images
Photo credit: bs-photo - Getty Images

From Red Online

It's no secret that a glass (or two) of wine replaced our social arrangements during lockdown, and cracking open a bottle became the norm for many households across the UK.

But a new study showing how even a small amount of wine can lead to weight gain, might have you thinking twice before you pour yourself that second glass — or even the first.

Scientists from the National Medical Center in Seoul looked at nearly 27 million adults, more than half the population of South Korea.

Among women, those who drank half an alcoholic drink a day – around half a glass of wine or bottle or beer – saw a 9% higher risk of obesity. While men who drank as little as 7g of pure alcohol a day were up to 10% more likely to be obese.

The Seoul scientists did not speculate on why a daily drink may be linked to obesity. But, different tipples vary in their calorie count, with a 250ml glass of 13% red wine containing as many as 228kcal — more than a doughnut.

The Seoul scientists analysed the health data and alcohol consumption of more than 14 million men and 12 million women; collected between 2015 and 2016 via the Korean National Health Insurance System.

Results – presented at The European and International Congress on Obesity – revealed the men who drank on average between half and one standard drink a day were around 10% more likely to be obese than the males who did not consume alcohol.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

They were also 10% more likely to have metabolic syndrome; the medical term for the combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. It can also increase the chance of a heart attack and stroke.

Among the women studied, scientists found that consuming between half and one drink a day was linked to a 9% higher risk of obesity compared to the abstainers.

Perhaps surprisingly though, these same women had a 3% reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. The scientists did not speculate on why this occurred.

Consuming more than two drinks a day was linked to a 22% and 18% higher risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome, respectively.

The findings remained true after the scientists adjusted for age, exercise levels, smoking and income.

Dr Shin, the studies lead scientist, said: 'There was a significant correlation between alcohol consumption and obesity after adjusting for age, exercise, smoking and income in this population - as well as between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome.

'Both men and women who consumed a higher quantity of alcohol had higher odds for obesity. The same results are observed for metabolic syndrome."

He added: 'Our results suggest the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases in proportion to alcohol consumption when male and female adults drink more than half a standard drink per day.'

They did stress, however, the results could have been influenced by other factors that were not accounted for.

Perhaps we'll stick to a mug of tea this evening.

Subscribe to Red now to get the magazine delivered to your door. Red's September issue is out now and available for purchase online and via Readly or Apple News+.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.


You Might Also Like