Why Drinking Alcohol May Make You Reach for Chips and Pizza: New Research

Drinking alcohol may lead people to overconsume savoury ultra-processed foods, according to new research from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, with researchers suggesting this may contribute to excess energy intake and weight gain.

Published in Obesity Reviews, the study found that alcohol can trigger biological pathways that increase levels of the hormone FGF21, which is linked to protein appetite and is associated with a preference for savoury flavours. When activated, this system can shift cravings toward salty, umami-flavoured foods.

Traditionally, the body associated these flavours with protein-rich foods such as meat. However, modern food environments can disrupt these sensory signals, with umami flavours now also found in foods that are not high in protein.