Here's one more reason not to get sloppy on your next night out: Drinking beyond your "tipping point" can make you consume 6,300 more calories than you normally would, according to a new survey.
For the YouGov-conducted report, researchers examined the eating and drinking habits of 2,042 members of the U.K. weight-loss organization Slimming World and found that when they overdid it on booze, they ate an average of 6,300 extra calories in the following 24 hours (that's in addition to what they would usually consume). Granted, the survey relied on self-reported data—but still!
Broken down, that's an extra 1,476 from the drinks, 2,829 in food that night, and 2,051 the next day. Just FYI, that's enough to gain almost two pounds with each binge-drinking episode.
Weighing in at seven calories per gram, alcohol isn't really that big of a calorie bomb by itself—particularly if you consume it in moderation. The bigger problem is often what accompanies the booze. In fact, a previous study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men eat an extra 433 calories on days they drink, thanks in part to eating more saturated fats and meat (and less fruit).
MORE: Don't Mix THIS With Alcohol
Even a slight buzz makes you focus on immediate gratification (like greasy pizza) rather than long-term goals (like weight loss). Plus, research in Alcohol & Alcoholism shows that just three alcoholic drinks can lower the body's levels of the feel-full hormone leptin by 30 percent.
Even more sobering news: After drinking, half of those surveyed dropped their exercise plans in favor of bumming it. And while we don't recommend forcing yourself on the treadmill when you're hung-over, missing workouts doesn't do much for burning off those binge drinking-induced calories.
MORE: Exercise and Alcohol: Running on Empty Bottles
So that begs the question: Where's your tipping point? According to the survey, most people fall over the edge at 9.3 units of alcohol—the equivalent of 3.7 pints of beer or 3.1 large glasses of wine.
Luckily, that means you aren't destined to stick with dry living if you want to lose weight. Learn how to not gain weight at happy hour.
MORE: Do You Have to Ditch Alcohol to Lose Weight?
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