Other Definitions
beer belly (dict)
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Beer BellyA beer belly or beer gut is a physical human trait characterised by a horizontal overhang of fat above the waist, with little apparent fat on the rest of the body. Although it is not solely caused by the consumption of beer, it is a contributing factor. The beer belly is usually associated with men (women tend to store excess fat in other areas such as the hips and buttocks). A lack of muscle tone in the abdominal muscles contributes to the appearance of the beer belly, with the overhang often increasing with age. The primary energy-bearing constitutents of beer are alcohol and carbohydrates; beer has no fat and very little protein content. Light beers and low-alcohol beers carry less food energy than other beers http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_info1.shtml. Even heavier beers carry less energy per glass than, e.g., sugared cola drinks, and one study has shown that non-drinkers adding a single serving of alcohol to their diet daily does not contribute to weight gain. However, some beer drinkers consume high-calorie junk food—such as potato chips—alongside beer, while others simply drink inordinate amounts of beer. For instance, a 40 U.S. fluid ounce (1.2 liter) bottle of MGD, which might be consumed as a single serving by a heavy drinker, contains about 485 calories (2,030 kilojoules). There is a widespread myth that "beer bellies" are the result of a fatty or enlarged liver. While excessive consumption of any alcohol can lead to fatty liver or even irreversible liver damage, this does not cause the fatty paunch associated with a beer belly. While obesity and overweight have their own health risks, they are not indicative of damage to the liver. For more information on fat, see the entry on obesity. See also
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