The Alcohol Paradox 104 The most likely theory is to do with insulin. Insulin, as we will see when we discuss carbohydrate metabolism, pops its head up regularly when it comes to understanding the physiology of weight loss. Insulin, the hormone that is deficient in diabetes sufferers, tells our body cells to stop using fat as their primary fuel source and switch to glucose – the byproduct of carbohydrate. The lower the levels of insulin in our blood the better because then our body burns more fat. The theory is that regular, moderate alcohol intake decreases insulin release into the blood stream by the organ that makes it – the pancreas. Lower insulin means we burn off more fat. The Nurses’ Health Study also found that women who had at least two drinks a day were 70 % less likely to develop diabetes than nondrinkers! If we balance this up with the risk of breast cancer we get to the point that women should have no less than one and no more than two drinks a day to get the maximum health benefit from alcohol. For men the ideal figures are probably no less than two and no more than three standard drinks a day. Be warned though, this is not a situation where‘ if a little bit is good, more must be better’. This is a narrow window ranging from one to three drinks a day. It’ s called a window because on either side of it the benefit is lost. Both below, and particularly above these levels, the benefits turn into disadvantages. As you exceed these levels you then add these calories to whatever you are eating. Disinhibited eating As we all know, alcohol begets more alcohol. Strangely enough, after we have had two glasses the third one, like the person sitting across from us, seems more attractive. In just the same way alcohol makes food much more attractive. In a radio interview I did on his breakfast show, the quick-witted Australian comedian, Mikey Robins – himself someone who has battled with weight and had just lost 20 kilograms( 44 pounds) – picked up this idea when I mentioned it.‘ Yes, I’ ve noticed that,’ he said.‘ I’ ll sit down