[Emilio Romero (OP)]

Is it true that alcohol makes us “gain” weight in two ways?:
1.   For the calories of the drink itself.
2.   For the consequent slowdown of our metabolism due to alcohol consumption.
Is this true? How true?
We can know how many calories are there in alcohol drinks, but how much is our metabolism slowed down?

Thank you
Emilio

[imatfaal]

For a lot of people a third problem is that carefully laid diet plans go out of the window when one leaves the pub and the chippy/curry/kebab beckons

[Geezer]

For a lot of people a third problem is that carefully laid diet plans go out of the window when one leaves the pub and the chippy/curry/kebab beckons

Hence the expression, "If the whiskey don't get you, the curry must."

[imatfaal]

Whiskey.
Whiskey! 
WhiskEy! 

There is no such thing. Now, whisky - that's a different matter. 

I was just getting ready for bed and now the single malts are calling me. I have a new lowland that is very nice (a wieed glenkinchie), a brutal ardbeg, and a speyaide I havent even opened. Ho hum - only 7 hours till the alarm goes ... Now which one

[cheryl j]

Alcohol does contain a lot of calories. The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins like alcohol. It also has a big role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, so if its really busy doing one job, it may not perform the others as efficiently would be my guess. Some people find alcohol stimulates their appetite and they order a pizza at midnight right before bedtime. But really heavy drinkers often stop eating and become thin and malnourished, so it probably depends on how much and how long.