New Delhi: Ever wondered why a chilled glass of beer and salted peanuts or chicken tikka go so well together? Well, a new study suggests that there is science behind it — and that the habit may be causing your weight gain.
In the study, published in the journal Obesity Reviews on 19 May, researchers from The University of Sydney found a link between alcohol consumption and an increased intake of savoury foods.
The phenomenon behind reaching for salty chips and namkeen during a drinking session is because of what researchers called the “aperitif effect”. When you chug a beer, your liver releases a hormone called FGF21. It is responsible for signalling your brain that you need protein. And since most sources of protein are savoury — like seafood, meat, and pulses — you start craving umami and salty foods.
But instead of eating actually consuming protein-rich foods, we trick our brain by opting for ultra-processed foods.
“Many people will recognise the experience of having a few drinks and suddenly craving something salty, like chips, French fries, pizza or other savoury foods,” says Dr Amanda Grech from the Charles Perkins Centre, lead author of the study.
“Now we have a better understanding of the hormonal dynamic at play, which may be driving overconsumption of ultra-processed foods.”
To find the link between alcohol and craving savour food, researchers studied daily dietary records of 9,337 people from the Australian Adult Survey. They observed that people ate more savoury foods on days when they consumed alcohol.
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The ill effects
While the body craves protein after alcohol consumption, we give it “protein decoys”, which are rich in fats and carbohydrates. This deceives our brain into believing that we are consuming protein. And since these UPFs are low in protein, they have to be eaten in large quantities to satisfy the body’s protein hunger. Ultimately, this only increases the chances of obesity.
The study also warned that eating protein in excess won’t solve the problem, unless you are working out to utilise it. The extra energy consumed will only end up getting converted into fat by your body.
“If you choose to drink, it’s worth being mindful of this hormonal interplay,” said professor David Raubenheimer, co-author of the study. “Having protein-rich whole foods readily available can help steer you away from ultra-processed foods. Think roasted chickpeas, smoked salmon, lean cold meats, prawns or oysters.”