The Effects Of Alcohol Consumption On Your Health
Photo by Kelsey Knight @ Unsplash
The new year is nearly upon us, as is the ritual of making new year’s resolutions. If one such promise you want to make to yourself has to do with reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, the following might help you or someone you know loosen the alcohol hold. Hopefully this article inspires and helps you make good on this promise if it is one you choose.
It’s somewhat deceiving that alcohol is still accepted as a healthy component of a balanced diet.
One day alcohol will fall out of glamour much like other substances were eventually proven detrimental rather than acceptable. With more evidence mounting to contradict its inconsequential use, it might be time to take a good look at exactly how consuming alcohol on a regular basis could potentially negatively impact quality of life.
Some people argue drinking alcohol has been part of peoples’ lives going as far back as we can think of.
Consuming alcohol Is used to unwind and is fitting for social gatherings. The problem arises when—like so many other mood altering substances—people can’t live life without it. There are many other natural options people can turn to that help relax and unwind without adverse side effects or serious consequences.
This indulgence does come with ill-effects that can’t be acutely felt like the hangover headache, but nonetheless they are still there.
Common Adverse Effects of Alcohol Consumption
Hormone Imbalances
Sugar and carb cravings—not only because of hormone imbalances caused by a drop in blood sugar—but also out of control candida.
Candida Overgrowth
Symptoms of an overgrowth of candida include tissue puffiness, weight gain, digestive problems including acid reflux, sinus congestion, fatigue, allergies, and skin infections such as psoriasis.
Sexual & Fertility Issues
Sexual dysfunction and fertility issues are also common amongst regular alcohol consumers.
Heart & Blood
Binge drinking can temporarily alter electrical impulses of heartbeats, as well as impair the body’s blood clotting ability.
Fatty-Liver Dis-ease
Consistent drinking in heavier set people can lead to fatty-liver dis-ease. This is more common among women because women don’t metabolize alcohol as efficiently as men do. Feeling tired after drinking could be one of the symptoms of fatty-liver dis-ease.
Inflammation
As the majority of the population is headed to the senior demography, let’s keep in mind drinking alcohol exacerbates inflammatory dis-eases such as arthritis and many others. Inflammation, we know today, is a key factor in many dis-eases.
Alcohol Induced Unnatural Brain Processes
In my book, Reflection of Selection, I went into detail on what exactly happens in the brain to create the abnormal physical manifestations brought on by alcohol such as light-headedness, loss of balance, and difficulties with memory and speech. The processes alcohol produces are not only unnatural, they are damaging.
The clincher—drinking alcohol shrinks the brain! Although researchers don’t exactly know what impact the shrinkage has, the resulting dehydration from alcohol drinking is harmful to the brain.
Limiting intake of alcohol to an occasional pleasure will not only help keep your brain and organs healthy longer, it will reduce inflammation and risk of deadly dis-eases.
Alcohol Related Deaths A Silent Epidemic
A few years ago, the province of Ontario in Canada reported a growing number of women and young people in their 20’s visiting hospital emergency rooms due to overuse of alcohol. In Canada, alcohol-related deaths are described as—and remain—a silent epidemic.
IN May 2022, the World Health Organization reported 3,000,000 yearly deaths occur globally as a result of harmful alcohol use.
To those who say drinking alcohol is all in good taste—we’re all going to the same place regardless of what we do—I ask them to avoid alcohol consumption if they have physical issues and see how they feel without it.
Healthy Ways To Relax & Unwind
There are many healthier options than consuming alcohol to help bring relaxation, unwind, and calm the mind.
Simple and easy natural ways to relieve stress
exercises such as walking and yoga;
practice of meditation;
deep breathing exercises;
listening to alpha or theta brain waves;
practicing presence;
reiki; and
using essential oils and herbs,
There are many other easy things to do to let go of tension, like taking a long relaxing bath, petting an animal, creative activities, listening to soft music, and doing anything you enjoy.
If you do make a resolution intending to reduce or give up alcohol entirely, and you end up faltering, be forgiving of yourself as you would another. It may take a few attempts to succeed. Developing new habits can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks.
Anytime is a good time to implement beneficial changes.