Your Health and Alcohol Consumption
I am NOT here to talk about addiction. I am here to talk about Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption. If you or someone you know is struggling with Addiction please seek professional help.
With that out of the way...
Moderate Alcohol Consumption is defined as "up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men". The definition refers to the amount consumed on any given day and NOT intended for use as an average.
But really, do most people consider this "moderate" alcohol consumption? Many feel that their weekends, days off or holidays may be license to over-consume and go way beyond "moderate" with their consumption. I know I have been guilty of this as well.
There is a lot to unpack when talking about the health effects of alcohol and I am just going to talk about the basics here.
Alcohol consumption is really just extra calories. There is no nutritional function of Alcohol; but the caloric impact is there and counts towards your daily caloric intake. (If you're trying to lose weight consuming alcohol is NOT going to be helpful.)
There is NO digestion involved in the uptake of alcohol - it goes straight to the liver for processing. (Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.)
This causes the liver to process the alcohol instead of the fats it is supposed to process. (Thus the increase in the negative stuff; fatty liver disease, triglycerides, LDL, etc.)
Alcohol consumption decreases inhibitions, especially towards snacking. You may eat things you normally wouldn't (junk food) and at times you normally wouldn't (late in the evening/night). Additional calories to store away as energy for later use. (And let's face it, you're still going to be hungry tomorrow. When does that "later use" happen?)
Negative Effects of excessive Alcohol Consumption
Short Term
- Lowered Inhibitions can result in poor Lifestyle Choices
- Trouble Concentrating
- Loss of Coordination resulting in Accidents or Injury (Especially while driving, but also falls)
- Mood Swings or Anxiety ("Hang-xiety")
- Dulled Perception, especially Vision ("Beer Goggles" anyone?)
Long Term
- Cancer (Many cancer risks INCREASE with Alcohol consumption; throat, mouth, breast, liver, etc.)
- Liver fibrosis, cirrhosis
- Memory Loss, trouble learning, loss of attention span
- High Blood Pressure, can lead to high Triglycerides, LDL and overall Cholesterol
- Diminished Gray Matter in the brain (YIKES)
Alcohol also effects your sleep. Perception tells us that a drink (or 2 or 3) before bed will "help" us sleep. In reality, Alcohol suppresses your REM sleep (the good sleep), can worsen or bring on sleep apnea, and disrupt your sleep once the alcohol wears off.
So yes, I just finished "Dry January". Was it hard? Not really, but I also am one of "those people". I don't drink on "school nights" (I have to get up early most days), and I am often up early & pretty busy on the weekends as well. After the Holidays & a couple months of celebrations it really does feel good to do "Dry January" and get myself back on track. I heard a lot of talk this year about "Dry January" and how many felt it was too difficult and that maybe a "Damp January" would be a better option for them. I say, take a hard look at your relationship with alcohol, when it becomes a "need" you may want to refer back to the first line of this post.
Did I lose weight? A little, but that was not my goal. It's just an obvious side effect of cutting out some calories and keeping everything else consistent.
Do I feel better? Absolutely!
Am I going to "celebrate" completing Dry January with a drink? Nope. I will just wait for the next true occasion to celebrate. Until then I am going to continue to enjoy the benefits.
Do you have a goal you're trying to reach or a habit you would like to change? I would love to support you on your journey!
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| MPeacockCPT94@gmail.com |
Sources:
www.newhealthadvisor.org
www.sleepfoundation.org
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