Can your drinking habits really show up on your tummy? Is there any truth to the term beer belly? Science says yes. Research has conclusively shown that alcohol and belly fat share a connection.

Many people wrongly believe that because alcohol doesn't contain any fat, they have no reason to worry. While it’s true that alcohol is fat-free, it is calorie-dense. At seven calories per gram, it contains just two calories less than the same weight of fat (nine calories per gram) and has even higher caloric content in its carbohydrates and protein (four calories per gram)!

Worse, these are empty calories, meaning alcohol does not offer you any nutritional value in terms of vitamins or minerals. And it is these empty calories, when consumed in excess, which will quickly settle around your midriff giving you the much abhorred beer belly. Because your body responds to alcohol in the same way as it reacts to excess carbohydrate.

Another factor that contributes to belly fat is that alcohol blocks your body’s ability to burn fat. So when you eat or drink, the fat which your body cannot process into energy simply gets stored around the abdomen. A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that for the same calories of alcohol and sugar-free lemonade, fat metabolism (how much fat your body is burning) dropped by a massive 73%.

And as if that weren’t enough, alcohol increases your appetite! Even when consumed in small quantities, alcohol is able to stimulate the production of gastric juices, which results in your brain asking for more food before you can feel satiated. And if people are drunk, their brain loses its ability to tell when the stomach is full. The result is overeating, which means more fats and more calories, (which will not be burned but stored as fat around your middle section).

Research also shows that alcohol stimulates the body to release a hormone called cortisol, which is instrumental in storing fat in the belly.

So, the beer belly is not a myth. If you regularly consume alcohol, you are increasing your chances of developing belly fat. Plus, you are putting yourself at risk for debilitating conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and high blood sugar levels.

The good news is that you can get rid of the belly fat by making lifestyle changes, such as cutting down on alcohol, exercising regularly and eating the right foods.