I have to be honest with you. There has been many a week that I have started similar newsletters with the intention of discussing the effects that drinking alcoholic beverages has on your health. I have begun and then deleted this topic several times, feeling much more comfortable sticking to more positive and motivating subject matter. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your personal situation), I feel like I must finally express myself.
As you know, humans have been consuming alcohol, or beverages fermented from fruits and grains, for ages. It's probably the most widely consumed mind-affecting agent around the world. Why do so many people drink alcohol? Sometimes it's for cultural or religious reasons, for physical or emotional pain relief, to aid in falling asleep, to help folks feel more relaxed in social situations, or because it's been touted as good for you. Some just enjoy the taste or become addicted to the feeling it gives them. A lot of times, it's just habit.
In no way, shape, or form am I judging. Well, not you at least. Myself, for sure. I love a good glass of bold red wine when I go out to a nice dinner, when I hang out with friends, when I cook, and also when I'm stressed and trying to relax. I enjoy cocktails when traveling and I have even used alcohol for pain relief. Basically, anytime is a good time in my book. But how much is too much? In my case, probably the majority of the times that I imbibe.
Studies are all over the place on this one, but many of the more recent ones show concerning results. Keep in mind, science is an ever-evolving process. There will always be new evidence arising, in addition to advancements in information collection and ways to test this information. We must stay open-minded and fluid in our thinking while really delving into the research and not just looking at the headlines. It also makes sense to explore who is funding said research and how much of the information gleaned is actually shared with the public.
I distinctly remember a shocking headline from a few years ago and was not surprised at all that so many of you reached out to me personally to see if I'd seen it. The titles of many articles suggested that the antioxidant resveratrol found in red wine could give you the same benefits as working out or more specifically, "an hour in the gym". Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? While resveratrol does mimic the effects you get from exercising, the toxicity, calories, loss of inhibition when it comes to food, and sleep disruption that occurs when you consume wine will not help you get to your fitness goals any faster than exercise.
The risks of drinking alcohol are definitely there, but the effects also depend on the person. Some folks carry genes that can convert it faster and, of course, size and muscle mass are factors, too. Many recent studies show compromised brain health and increased risk of dementia-type diseases, increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, increased risk of cancers, worsening of depression and anxiety, and even organ failure. Even if you disregarded all of those effects because of outdated data collection and testing, some other effects are pretty obvious.
These include impaired judgement and lowered inhibitions. It's pretty clear drinking and driving is not a good idea, but if you are having issues with balance, is drinking and walking safe? And if you are trying to eat healthier, recover from a strength training session or intense bout of cardio, and get beneficial sleep, consuming too much alcohol (or any at all for some people) is not doing you any favors. As you know, becoming healthier is about making good decisions on a fairly consistent basis. You alone decide to put good things into your body, recover correctly, and embrace a good sleep routine. If alcohol is effecting any of these, it might be time to limit it a bit.
Your body views alcohol as a toxin or something it needs to get rid of quickly. While your body is doing it's primary job of protecting you, other bodily functions get put on the back burner. Things like absorbing nutrients, burning fat, and muscle recovery are important to anyone wanting to live a healthier lifestyle, but none of that will happen until your body is rid of the "poison".
In addition, not only do the calories in alcohol really add up, but there is minimal, if any, nutritional value. Our bodies can't store alcohol, so while we are using it primarily for energy, the glucose and lipids (sugar and fat) circulating in our bloodstream gets stored instead. That's when the "beer belly" or "wine pooch" comes into play.
Again, this is just some information to chew on. I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I hope I haven't lost any friends. One or two drinks a week is probably not derailing anyone's progress, but in my case, I really feel like I tend to overdo it on too many occasions. If you are like me and are always looking for ways to tweak your lifestyle for the better, maybe consider paying more attention to frequency or even portion sizes to see where you are at. Just an idea.
If you are planning on joining me for a small group session or two this week, please use the button below to register or visit my website and book your classes there. Interested in personal, one-on-one training? Give me a text or call or just respond to this email and I will get you on the schedule as soon as possible. Take care of yourself and please forgive my transparency. Have a healthy weekend!