Alcohol Health Risks: Alternatives and Dry January
Recent studies are revealing concerning alcohol effects on our bodies, even with occasional intake.
We understand the daily grind can be overwhelming, especially for women and mothers juggling various responsibilities. Finding time to relax after a hectic day can be challenging. Many of our clients recognize the need to move away from relying on a nightly glass of wine to unwind and seek something more beneficial for their well-being. To offer further support, we’ve curated insightful perspectives on alcohol, shared a list of alcohol-free drink alternatives, and provided beneficial stress relief resources.
Alcohol Effects on Your Body and Brain
Our dive into evidence-based research uncovered two crucial studies examining alcohol’s effects on the body.
Dr. Daniel Amen, a prominent brain specialist from California that you’ve likely seen featured scrolling through IG, referred to a significant study challenging conventional beliefs about alcohol. This thorough analysis spanned 107 studies over 40 years, involving nearly 5 million participants. Its findings dismissed any notion of health benefits from regular, small alcohol doses. Notably, this extensive research unveiled a disconcerting trend—the alcohol industry financially supported several studies advocating for alcohol’s benefits.
Additionally, the United Kingdom Biobank studied over 35,000 middle-aged and older adults, specifically focusing on alcohol’s impact on the brain. The outcome was striking. Even moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks daily) resulted in neocortex thinning.
These studies significantly contribute to our collective efforts to raise global awareness about alcohol’s inherent risks to the body and the brain.
Why Is Alcohol So Harmful to Our Bodies?
As Anthony William (Medical Medium) suggests, there are concealed physical factors influencing addiction that contemporary science might not fully grasp.
One crucial factor involves deficiencies in glycogen and essential mineral salts within the brain stemming from inadequate glucose intake. This glucose can be found in fruits, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, raw honey, and coconut water. Surprisingly, many individuals fall short of consuming enough fruits and carbohydrates. These deficits also relate to prolonged high-fat/protein diets, lacking vital mineral-rich foods such as leafy greens and green vegetables essential for neurotransmitter support.
Moreover, elevated levels of toxic heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, and copper in the brain can independently fuel addictive behaviours. It’s essential to recognize the significant impact of emotional distress, exacerbating these factors, heightening addictive impulses, and depleting the body’s resources.
Alcohol, no matter the quantity, harms the body. When consumed, the liver works hard to eliminate it, but it struggles to release glucose. Ever felt tipsy? That’s your brain signalling it’s low on energy, much like when your phone’s battery runs out. Surprisingly, despite its effects, alcohol is quite toxic. Wonder why it’s hard to resist. It messes with your brain’s energy, triggering an unexpected adrenaline rush. The more you drink, the less fuel your brain gets, intensifying this cycle.
Alcohol Alternatives and Dry January
If you’re seeking alternatives to alcohol, below are fun drink recipes to aid your healing journey. We’ve also included store-bought wine substitutes as you embark on reducing your consumption for Dry January.
- Mulled wine
- Champagne mocktail
- Cranberry orange mimosa
- Wild blueberry sangria
- Sparkling wild blueberry juice
Transitioning from wine to non-alcoholic wines or alternatives is an option to consider. However, it’s essential to note that these choices aren’t flawless. Some are de-alcoholized wines, which means the alcohol content has been removed. Additionally, many of these alternatives contain sulphites and other additives.
Here are a few options you might consider:
It’s important to note that although these alternatives offer an alcohol-free option, they may include additives or undergo processing methods that might not suit everyone’s preferences. We commend anyone taking the leap to start the process of cutting out alcohol, and we respect that this transition will look different for everyone.
Healthy Stress-Relief Options
For additional support with stress and overwhelm, consider the following supports:
- Adrenal fight or flight stabilizer brain shot
- Ashwagandha
- B12 or B complex
- Lemon balm tea or tincture
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Nettle tea or tincture
- Passionflower tea or tincture
- Wild blueberry juice
Looking for a fresh start with health and wellness goals?
Join us for another round of our popular 8-Day Empowered Reset group cleanse. Additionally, within our monthly Empowered Wellness Circle Membership, we’re focusing on weight gain and weight loss this month, catering to your weight-related queries with a comprehensive teaching call and Live Q&A session—our most requested topic.
