Alcohol and binge eating

[DoraTheExplorable]

Just wondered if anyone knew anything about a possible link?

I have recently been finding that if I drink alcohol (more than a glass of wine or two) the next day I have a tendency to eat excessively- I don't mean just an extra slice of toast for breakfast but eg crisps, 5 biscuits, chocolate bar, sandwich, just sort of topping up with crap all day long. I must eat twice as much on a day like this to a normal day. When I don't drink, I eat completely normally/healthily.

Does anyone know if there's a physical reason? It feels a sort of automatic thing- I'm not just choosing to stuff my face, iyswim. Might give up booze entirely if so because it makes me feel really crap- I drink once a week or so at the moment.

Thank you.

“The metabolism of alcohol can alter blood sugar balance by depleting your storage of glycogen, or carbohydrates," says gastroenterologist and weight management physician Nitin Kumar, M.D speaking to Men's Health.

Glycogen is what your body likes to fuel itself off, so when you use your glycogen stores to metabolise the alcohol, your body demands you give it more by making you feel hungry.

You get glycogen from carbohydrates which is why sugary foods and drink seem hugely appetising.

Alcohol reduces the levels of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) in the bloodstream. When there's less ADH in the blood, your kidneys do not reabsorb as much water and as a consequence, your body produces more urine. This is why you're often dehydrated the morning after drinking alcohol.

The dehydration adds to our cravings and can make you want salty foods, so when all of this is taken into account, it's hardly surprising that you binge on bad food the day after drinking alcohol.”

I think there are a few possible reasons.

The spike in blood sugar from alcohol that leads to you needing another hit - more sugar, more carbs.

The emotional ‘hit’ is the same for alcohol and binge eating. The instant gratification of ‘need to relax/feel good’ = drink / cake / pizza.