Alcohol and our health
by Laura Jennings
According to Alcohol Change UK almost three in 10 drinkers (28%) found themselves drinking more in 2021, compared to 2020, and one in four (25%) would like to cut down. It is estimated that Dry Jan attracted 7.9 million adults in the UK to give up booze for the first month of this year. For those who reaped the benefits of Dry Jan, including having no ‘hangxiety’ to cloud a fuzzy Sunday morning and a little extra cash at the end of the month, they may be enticed to continue kicking the booze or exploring a sober curious venture into 2022.
However, it’s likely the majority will be toasting the first of Feb with their favourite tipple. So in light of this and the end to many people’s short lived sobriety this year, we are sharing a few of our favourite tips to a healthier drinking culture, and busting myths of the classic ‘hangover remedies.’
Alcohol and our physical and mental health
It is important to acknowledge the effects of alcohol on our physical and mental health. Drinking in excess can have negative effects on our bodies including, increased blood pressure, poor sleep quality, dehydration and inflammation of the stomach and digestive system. In addition, alcohol is a depressant and it can change the biochemistry of our brains influencing our thoughts, feelings and actions. Immediately, we might feel more relaxed and less anxious; however with increased consumption more of the brain is impacted. This increased consumption has been linked to feelings of stress, anger and depressive symptoms.
Foods to Eat on a Hangover and Why
Eggs Whilst it’s a myth that a full English can remedy a hangover, one component of this hailed breakfast is extremely beneficial…eggs.
Eggs contain an amino acid called cysteine, which produces antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione is responsible for breaking down the toxic byproducts released when we consume alcohol. When we consume alcohol, glutathione stores become depleted. Eggs can bring homeostasis to the toxins released by alcohol!
Avocados and Coconut Water Give your body a potassium boost to replace lost electrolytes with avocados and coconut water. The coconut water will also help to rehydrate the body too!
Turmeric Alcohol can induce inflammation and oxidative stress. Adding turmeric to food or making a turmeric latte can help to naturally increase the body’s anti-inflammatory properties. Combining spices together magnifies their impact. To increase the bodies absorption rate of the active ingredient in turmeric ‘curcumin’, try combining turmeric with black pepper. The piperine in black pepper increases the absorption of turmeric in the body. Since most illnesses start with inflammation, it makes sense to ramp up your intake of this spice this winter!
Protein Include your protein of choice (we recommend lean meats, such as turkey, chicken or omega 3 rich fish, like salmon or trout) to keep you feeling full and to prevent snacking on sugary foods.
Wholegrain Carbohydrates Whole grains, such as oats and brown rice can help to stabilise blood sugar after a night of heavy drinking, which will be sure to cause a surge in blood sugar.
Hydrate Be sure to drink 2 litres of water a day to offset dehydration caused by alcohol and this chilly weather.
Take a walk in nature Taking a walk in the fresh air can help alleviate stress and change our mindset when we are feeling a little worse for wear. Nature contains recurring fractal patterns such as trees, leaves and flowers. Fractal patterns have been shown to decrease stress by 60%. Moving our bodies helps to rid the body of toxins and lower blood pressure, which will help counteract some of the negative effects of alcohol.
Enjoy alcohol responsibly Enjoying a glass of wine or your favourite cocktail with family and friends can be medicine for the soul, so we are by no means telling you to go t-total, however just a friendly reminder to enjoy alcohol, but do so responsibly by staying within the 14 recommended units a week.
If you or a loved one requires support and information on alcohol and drug addiction, watch our video here with frontline drug and alcohol worker at We Are With You Charity, Bryony Homewood.
About Laura Jennings
After five years working in the corporate world in luxury fashion and technology, Laura trained as a yoga teacher and joined the team at My Method, curating exciting and diverse wellbeing programmes for private clients and corporates.
Laura has a passion for holistic wellbeing and nutrition and has joined the Be Well team to support with content creation, workshop development and more. She is progressing in the world of health and wellness and is continuing her studies, starting a Masters in Nutrition at King's College London in September 2021.