Fit, Adventurous… and Boozy? What No One’s Talking About in Bozeman
Bozeman and its surrounding area is home to extraordinary views, hiking, fishing, skiing, local music, art walks, bike trails, great restaurants, and the annual Sweet Pea Festival. But Bozeman, Gallatin County, to be specific, is also home to an extraordinary amount of alcohol consumption. In fact, among all counties in the United States, Gallatin County has the highest per capita alcohol consumption. If you’re curious, you can check out this map showing alcohol consumption by county across the country.
But wait—we’re a college town. That’s why, right? Well, look again. The map is full of college towns, and most of them don’t come close to Bozeman’s numbers. Okay, maybe it’s because we’re a tourist destination? Except... Las Vegas (Clark County), Nevada has significantly lower alcohol consumption per capita than Bozeman. That’s right: Bozeman drinks more per person than Vegas.
It seems surprising, especially in a place so focused on health and wellness. But that might actually be part of the explanation. Research suggests a correlation between high levels of physical activity and higher alcohol consumption. It’s not causation, but some studies propose that people who seek out intense physical experiences—like downhill skiing, white-water kayaking, or rock climbing—may also be more drawn to the novelty and stimulation that alcohol can provide.
Alcohol’s Impact on Nutrition
So why is a dietitian talking about alcohol? Besides the fact that it’s a toxin—a deliciously buzzy one, perhaps, but a toxin nonetheless—there are also real nutrition concerns when it comes to excessive alcohol consumption.
First, alcohol has no nutritional value. It’s packed with calories, but not the kind our bodies can use in a meaningful way. Sure, excess calories from alcohol can be stored as adipose tissue (fat), and we can tap into those stores during times of low food intake—but that’s about it. What’s more, calories from alcohol are often stored as visceral fat, the kind that wraps around organs and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, in early human history, our bodies adapted to metabolize alcohol because it was occasionally a fuel source—we could eat partially fermented fruit like guavas or peaches that had fallen from trees.
Second, because alcohol is a toxin, our bodies prioritize metabolizing it over everything else—putting most other metabolic processes on hold, especially those involving nutrients like fat, carbohydrates, and proteins. When someone drinks heavily or frequently, the body spends a lot of time focused on processing alcohol, leaving energy stores like fat largely untouched. Over time, this can contribute to fat accumulation and other metabolic issues.
Also, because our bodies prioritize metabolizing alcohol, our livers “switch gears” when we drink. Normally, our livers help maintain stable blood sugar levels by releasing glucose—especially during times we haven’t been eating. This process is driven by hormones like glucagon. But when alcohol is in the system, the liver becomes busy processing it and temporarily stops producing and releasing glucose. As a result, our blood sugar levels can drop. You know that feeling when you’ve had one glass of wine and suddenly become ravenous for those happy hour nachos? That’s partly why. Alcohol can increase appetite and lower inhibitions around food. Eating more isn’t a “problem,” per se—but we’re less likely to be tuned in to our natural hunger and fullness cues when alcohol is in the mix.
Third, drinking excessive alcohol messes with our gut microbiome—and not in a good way. Alcohol can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut by promoting inflammation and damaging the intestinal lining. This can lead to a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an overgrowth of harmful ones. On top of that, alcohol can suppress the immune system, which gives those undesirable microbes even more room to thrive.
It can be difficult to drink less in a community that suggests that drinking excessively is the norm, especially when wine and beer are staples at so many public events. But sometimes, simply understanding the many ways alcohol can impact our health is a helpful first step toward making changes.
Sources: https://vinepair.com/booze-news/map-drunkest-and-driest-counties-america/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4629692/https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2023/study-finds-higher-alcohol-intake-increases-fat-deposits-heart-other-body-parts
Written by Regan Wilson, RD, LN | Counseling Intern
Regan specializes in: Eating disorders, disordered eating patterns, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and diseases and those who are looking to move past chronic dieting. She is also seeing clients struggling with their mental health as a counseling intern at a discounted rate.