The Truth About Alcohol
"There is a reason that the word "intoxication" was chosen to explain the effects of alcohol on the body. Intoxication is derived from a Latin word meaning "to poison". ~ News Target
Nutritional bandits gum up our body signals, confuse our internal conversation, create a toxic overload in the body, and rob us of our health when consumed regularly. Today we take a look at Nutritional Bandit #2: Alcohol.
While it is generally thought that occasional or moderate use (2-3 drinks per week) is beneficial to our health, the most recent research now suggests that there is no “safe” level of alcohol consumption. In fact. behind tobacco and obesity, alcohol is the 3rd leading cause of cancer.
First of all, alcohol is highly addictive — requiring more and more to produce the same effect. It also contains lots of calories and very few nutrients. In fact, alcohol has 7 calories per gram of carbohydrate as opposed to 4 calories per gram in all other carbohydrates. And these calories don't fill us up, but rather alcohol can trigger cravings and increase appetite causing you to eat more!
“Every time you drink alcohol. you damage your brain, disrupt your metabolism, stress your liver, destroy your microbiome, increase oxidative stress, and inhibit anabolic processes that build and repair muscle. If you drink alcohol, you have to under stand the risks you are taking and realize that your progress and health are a result of your decisions. You cannot reach your health or quality of life goals and continue to include alcohol in that equation.” ~ Tim Rice, R.D.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, depletes electrolytes, and is a toxic irritant due to the many chemicals used in the fermentation and bottling process. And it is a central nervous system depressant and an emotional suppressant.
Alcohol consumption is linked to: dementia, 7 types of cancer, high blood pressure, increased stroke risk, obesity, gastritis and ulcers, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, hypoglycemia and diabetes, heart disease, gout, nerve and brain dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, immune suppression, and injuries and death from falls, 27% of auto accidents, and 65% of domestic violence.
While it might not always be possible (or even desirable) to avoid nutritional bandits all of the time, it’s what we do MOST of the time that counts. Armed with knowledge, we can intentionally make healthier choices! When it comes to alcohol, the best case scenario is to not drink at all as even small amounts aren’t without risk. However, if you do choose to consume alcohol, Dr. Mark Hyman recommends treating it as a "recreational drug" rather than an everyday habit.
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