Wine, Women and Waistlines - Gender Differences in Binge Drinking's Effect

We all know that binge eating isn't good for us. But what's the harm in the occasional evening of binge drinking when you're out with friends? Like, for example, knocking off an entire bottle of wine per person?

The answer spotlights yet another difference between women and men.

Occasional binge drinking leads to abdominal obesity, which leads to diabetes and heart disease...and more inches around the waist of women than men. As reported by the Daily Mail, a recent 'snapshot' study by researchers at University College London found that for binge drinkers who overindulged at least once a month, 2 inches were added to the waists of men who binged in comparison to those that didn't. But for women, that number was doubled. Female binge drinkers gained 4 inches in their waistline than non-binge drinkers.

Surprisingly, it's not the volume but the pattern of drinking that adds the weight, according to the study's lead researcher who says that women's smaller body mass makes them less able to dispose of the alcohol.

So enjoy that bottle of wine, but have a glass each evening. Space it out over a matter of days rather than hours for your health and for your waistline.

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