Dry January and the Sobering Truths about Alcohol

Jan 5, 2024

Recent studies are revealing concerning impacts linked to alcohol consumption, 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.

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 significantstudy challenging conventional beliefs. 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—several studies advocating for alcohol’s benefits were financially supported by the alcohol industry.

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 in raising global awareness about alcohol’s inherent risks.

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 in 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 behaviors. 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 in the process. Ever felt tipsy? That’s your brain signaling 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.

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.

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 dealcoholized wines, which means the alcohol content has been removed. Additionally, many of these alternatives contain sulfites and other additives.

Here are a few options you might consider:

Proxies
Odd Bird
Unified Ferments Snow Chrysanthemum
Fre

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.

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 in January with health and wellness goals?

Commencing January 15th, we’re launching 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.