Do familiar spirits make a person fatter or gain weight ?

The concept of "familiar spirits" causing weight gain is not supported by scientific or medical evidence. Weight gain is a complex physiological process influenced by caloric intake, metabolism, hormonal regulation, lifestyle choices, and genetics.

From a scientific and medical perspective, weight gain is primarily attributed to an imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. When an individual consistently consumes more calories than their body uses, the excess energy is stored as fat, leading to weight gain.

Several factors contribute to this caloric imbalance:

• Caloric Content of Food and Drink: All food and beverages contain calories. Alcohol, for instance, is calorie-dense, providing approximately 7 calories per gram, which is nearly double the calories per gram of protein or carbohydrates. Mixed drinks and cocktails often contain additional calories from sugary mixers and juices.

• Impact on Metabolism and Fat Burning: When alcohol is consumed, the body prioritizes its breakdown and elimination because it perceives alcohol as a toxin. This process temporarily inhibits the body's ability to burn fat (lipid oxidation). The liver works overtime to process alcohol, delaying its other functions, such as maintaining blood glucose levels and breaking down body fat.

• Appetite Stimulation and Poor Food Choices: Alcohol can stimulate appetite and reduce inhibitions, leading to increased consumption of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium foods. Studies suggest alcohol can activate brain cells that signal intense hunger and may reduce blood sugar levels, triggering cravings for high-carb foods.

• Hormonal Effects: Heavy alcohol consumption can affect hormones that regulate appetite, hunger, and stress. Elevated cortisol levels, a stress hormone, have been linked to increased abdominal fat accumulation and cravings for high-calorie foods.

• Empty Calories: Alcoholic beverages often contain "empty calories," meaning they provide energy without significant nutritional value. Consuming these calories can replace more nutrient-dense foods, contributing to overall caloric excess without providing essential vitamins and minerals.

• Sleep Disruption: Excessive alcohol use can impair sleep quality and duration. Sleep deprivation, in turn, has been linked to increased food intake and difficulty resisting tempting snacks, potentially contributing to weight gain.

• Body Composition: While the term "beer belly" is common, alcohol's contribution to abdominal fat is more complex. While a small portion of alcohol calories can accumulate as fat, the primary mechanism is that the liver prioritizes alcohol breakdown, delaying fat burning, which can lead to fat accumulation, particularly in the abdominal region for men.

In contrast, the concept of "familiar spirits" causing physical ailments like weight gain falls outside the realm of established medical and scientific understanding. While some belief systems may attribute such issues to spiritual causes, these claims are not supported by empirical evidence or recognized by health organizations.