The Healthiest Way To Drink Alcohol

The current climate of being at home more than ever has resulted in a huge spike in alcohol sales. Within my own nutrition and with my patients, I always try to incorporate realistic ways of implementing balance and change.

No form of alcohol is healthy when it is consumed in excess, however, there are certain drinks which are less harmful to the body and ways to ‘soften the blow’ of that post 5pm drink. I’ve also included some ideal alcohol and food pairings.

Problem - Not All Drinks Are Made Equal
Solution - Buy The Best You Can Afford and Avoid Pre-Mixed Drinks

Cheaper drinks are less likely to be a ‘pure’ product. What does that mean? Well, often pre-mixed drinks are jammed full of mixers which are high on the sugar, additives (like food colouring) and low in quality alcohol. Cheap wines are often higher in sulphates (which contributes largely to hangovers) and pesticides.

Additionally, if you are aiming to drink the best quality you can afford, you are less likely to buy and drink more. A £12 bottle of organic wine vs 5 for £12 brightly coloured vodka mixers will leave you feeling less hungover and remove much of the stress that your liver encounters when processing additives and sugars.

Additionally, clear drinks like white wine or spirits are lower in congers, the byproduct of alcohol than dark drinks like whisky or dark beers. The exception to this rule is red wine, which contains antioxidants and a phytonutrient called resveratrol.

Problem - Alcohol Adds Stress To The Liver
Solution - Reduce Liver Stress Sources

It is common knowledge that drinking adds stress to your liver. However, it isn’t just alcohol that the liver has to sort through. Your liver is constantly breaking down used hormones, medications, food additives and sugars. When you add alcohol to the mix, you are adding demand.

So, aiming to reduce stress on the liver elsewhere is key. Firstly, avoid consuming foods while drinking which add to that demand. This includes; sugar, highly processed foods, food/drinks with artificial colouring.

Secondly, eat foods which support your liver while you are drinking. These include bitter foods like citrus fruits or radish. Radish and hummus with your wine, anyone?

From a supplement point of view, you may consider purchasing A.Vogel’s Milk Thistle capsules which has been shown to support the liver.

Problem - It Causes Hangovers
Solution - Soften The Blow

A big part of a hangover is from dehydration. Typically when we are drinking wine or beer, we are less likely to be drinking water at the same time. Have a glass of water at the same time as your alcoholic drink and when you top up your wine glass, make sure you are topping up your water at the same time.

Including foods which are high in protein and/or healthy fats also helps to ‘soften the blow’ to your blood sugar.

Drink and Food Pairing Ideas

Ideal Drinks;
Organic or sulphate free wine
Gluten free pale ale/beer
Gin with sparkling water and fresh lemon/lime instead of tonic (high in sugar)

Ideal Food Pairings;
Crudite plate; hummus with radishes, carrots and cucumbers
Mixed nuts; pistachios, cashews, walnuts
Drinking with dinner that includes a lean protein source (chicken, beans, fish)
Olives and mixed nuts