Health is Wealth. Many of us have a love-hate relationship with alcohol.
The feeling of getting beautifully crafted ales or opening a bottle of cabernet merlot is mostly seen as a reward after a hard day’s work or a reason to catch up with friends. It eases us into relaxation mode, it can bring people together, and it can often result in leaving the troubles of the day behind us.
“I need a drink” is used when you crave more than a glass of water when stressful times are behind us and a bit of R&R is on the menu. These words were etched in my mind when the going got tough, yet were slowly replaced with whatever glass was placed in front of me, stress or no stress.
While another round hit the table, the thought of what alcohol did inside my body never crossed my mind. Just like most of us, living in the moment among friends and family with a glass in one hand and food in the other was all that mattered. The talks became more ‘loose’ and navigating the regular ups-and-downs to the toilet became harder and harder after every trip.
A few glasses, fine.
More than a few glasses, we all can talk about the side-effects, the mornings-after, and the food cravings.
The social side of alcohol is as hard an addiction as the liquid itself. Some say that a good conversation never starts over a salad. While this may have a somewhat realistic ring to it, it also emphasises where we place booze in our society.
However you look at it, alcohol is a drug. A highly addictive one.
The Numbing Agent
When nerves flare up before an event where delivering is essential, the suggestions for a sip can be a potent solution. The alcohol directly affects one’s central nervous system, temporarily working like a numbing agent on your nerves. It reduces the jitters before it slowly fades away and leaves little trace once it has done its job. That cool and calming effect, we all know about it, just helps you feel like you can conquer the world. So, another shot may be preferred.
But, as with any addictive substance, the internal damage done is an accumulation of drops that slowly fill the proverbial bucket. When consuming alcohol, I sometimes had a funny tingling in my hands and feet. Little did I know this could be the start of alcoholic neuropathy, as alcohol is a chemical toxic to our nerves and nervous system. I did not experience this often, but frequently enough that it caused some discomfort, and especially in the last months before I quit drinking.
Alcohol Is a Macronutrient
What many do not know is that alcohol is a macronutrient. It falls under the same group as carbohydrates, dietary fats and protein. It provides energy in the form of calories. However, the process to get it churned into something suitable for the body to use goes a bit differently. The body sees alcohol as a poison. The liver has to work twice as hard to turn the content into something harmless. Processing alcohol temporarily shuts down other parts of the digestive system so that it can concentrate on the task at hand. Alcohol is not an effective macronutrient because, as it provides a constant flow of energy to burn, fat is stored by the body.
Alcohol also decreases the absorption of nutrients, such as protein and vitamin B12, causing significant deficits that affect many areas of the body, including the nerves. When one becomes chronically alcohol-dependent and eats less and less, the body still functions but ravages itself from inside for additional energy sources, and one of these is protein stored in your muscles.
It may not come as a surprise that alcoholics often look skinny due to the fact that internally, they are using the muscle protein to feed their cells and systems. The body is smart enough to adapt and does not discriminate when it needs to keep its fires hot.
Additionally, sleep issues, lower testosterone levels, dehydration, high blood pressure, mood swings and losing focus are some of the other side-effects. A few glasses may not make a difference at first, but it all works on a continuum. Another unit here and there, and an accumulation of damaging effects emerges. The body makes some alcohol itself through fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, yet this is in general negligible.
Liquid Calories
We consume liquid calories easier than those in food. These calories do not satisfy our hunger but work on our thirst. A pint of beer can easily contain more than 150 calories, a glass of wine 100-125 calories, and cocktails score even higher on the glycaemic index. The latter primarily comes from adding some syrups and juices that enhance the sugar intake and thus can have an effect on your insulin release.
Count your caloric intake when you are on a weight-loss journey and the results may be surprising. An expanding belly, a lower sex drive, fatty liver, bad sleep and binge-eating, all scientifically proven results when even a few drinks here and there are consumed regularly.
The term beer belly makes more sense when you consider that downing 10-15 glasses of beer can add up to the same amount of calories as a large meal.
In the above cases, I describe when alcoholic intakes are on average above an individual’s tolerance level. Each person has their limits, and many of us may be able to control this. But the correlation between alcohol and weight, and knowing the effects it has on our body, influences the journey to thrive.
A Sensitive Subject
One thing I have learned is that discussing alcohol intake with clients during their weight loss journey is a highly sensitive topic. Similar areas of sensitivity are with smokers and those with other addictions.
I can relate to it like no other, having gone through the process myself. As earlier described, nothing can work as positively as having a glass after a day’s work. And this, too, is as important as choosing whole, less-processed foods and lots of veggies for your next meal. No, a glass here and there is not an issue.
Here lies the yin and yang when taking up alcohol and the deep health correlation. Alcohol may not only be an inhibitor when on a weight-loss journey when not seeing the effects you aim for, but the underlying damage caused by drinking in excess has a far greater reach on your physical and mental health.
But when your belly is bulging, the buttons on your trousers are tight, yet your eating is under control, there may be a need to check in and touch on the subject of your alcohol intake.