Nutritionist Lauryn Lax shares her knowledge on alcohol and your health, plus a healthier cocktail recipe.
By Dr. Lauryn Lax
In recent years, the Federal Drug Administration and the beverage industry have seemingly tried to promote better drink options by listing calories on the front of vending machines and creating pseudo-healthy alternatives, like Stevia-sweetened sodas. But we all still know soda isn’t good for us and can contribute to the development of diabetes, heart disease and blood-sugar imbalances. However, despite all the attention on the soda industry, there is another beverage epidemic that is rarely discussed in nutrition circles: non-alcoholic alcohol addiction. Let me explain.
Non-alcoholic alcohol addiction is a physiological addiction to the sugar, yeast or carbohydrates in alcohol that can cause psychological and physical side effects. Like soda addiction, non-alcoholic alcohol addiction is often one of those things people don’t realize they suffer from until they are trying to be healthier. In those cases, they cut out sugar and artificial sweeteners, but can’t fathom giving up alcohol.
Alcohol and Your Health
There are absolutely zero essential nutrients in alcohol. In fact, let’s think about how your beverage compares, in terms of calories and sugar, with things you eat. One bottle of red wine is equivalent to three and a half chocolate-chip cookies, and four piña coladas would be similar to consuming six Hershey’s chocolate bars.
Frequent alcohol consumption takes a toll on your blood sugar, thrusting your body into a vicious cycle of highs and lows. In fact, alcohol consumption actually prevents your liver from producing glucose, and as a consequence, that typically results in hypoglycemia, or a sudden drop in blood sugar. In order to regulate your blood sugar, your body will then crave more sugary foods or fast-acting sources of energy for a quick boost.
Alcohol also disrupts your metabolism. Recently, I met with a woman who wanted to lose 30 pounds, but she really enjoyed drinking. After some discussion, I challenged her to try to drink only one or two nights a week. After cutting down her alcohol consumption, she started sleeping better, felt more energized and her skin had a noticeable glow.
Cutting back on alcohol may be the key to your health and stubborn metabolism.
The Options
Do you need a good transition drink for decreasing your alcohol dependency? I have a margarita recipe I absolutely love. Take two shots of quality tequila, the juice and pulp from one lime and add club soda, to taste. Instead of the 30 grams of sugar in a regular margarita, this cocktail won’t spike your blood sugar.
Lauryn Lax’s Recovery Cocktail
If you’re still having a tough time cutting down on alcohol or have had too much to drink on a given day, I have just the fix to support your health, my own little cocktail of inflammation-fighting and liver-supporting supplements that act as a buffer to the damaging effects of alcohol.
Before you drink, take two to three Hydro-Zyme digestive aids to support gut health, your pancreas, liver and gallbladder. After you drink, take two to three Beta TCP tablets to continue to support your liver and gallbladder as they break down alcohol. The next morning, take one to two Bio-Glycozyme Forte capsules, which help promote blood-sugar regulation.
Reducing your alcohol intake can improve your overall health, help you lose weight and give you glowing skin. Are you ready to commit to better health?