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Author: Peter Cutforth

  • How Your Body Reacts When You Give Up Alcohol

    If you’ve noticed your drinking getting out of control, you may want to consider refraining, at least for a little while. If you do, here are some of the changes in your body that you can expect to see:

    1. Mental Effects – According to Dr. Duy Nguyen, a psychiatrist at Beachway Therapy in Florida, by refraining from alcohol, you can remove yourself from the mental crutch of an altered personality impacted by alcohol.

    2. Improved Sleep- While alcohol is a sedative, it actually interrupts REM sleep – the state of sleep needed to replenish energy.

    3. Sharpened Mind – In addition to the physical improvements in the body, your cognitive ability will also improve. Cravings for sugar and high-carb foods will also slow down.

    4. Physical Improvements –  Microbiotas that promote healthy body functions will begin to replenish in  the body. Imbalances in the gastrointestinal tract will also subside so any physical ailments like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation will also wane.

    5. Increased Energy –  Doctors say you’ll feel more energized and as your body will digest food better, you won’t experienced the type of bloating and weight gain associated with heavy drinking. Doctors also say alcohol can irritate the intestines and cause a build-up of enzymes leading to pancreatitis.

    6. Avoid Serious Physical Conditions – Excessive alcohol inflames the liver and as this occurs, it tears and scar tissue forms. This is known as cirrhosis – a serious physical condition that prevents the liver from detoxing the body. This has an effect on the entire body.  By giving up alcohol or drinking less often, you can avoid this condition and a host of others.

    7. Improved Digestion – After a while of not drinking you’ll notice you start to digest foods better. You may even notice a reduction in your weight because of the reduction in calories from alcoholic drinks. You can expect less flatulence, bloating and diarrhea due to a reduction in alcoholic beverages.

    8. Skin will Improve – Your skin will clear up and appear healthier. Your blood pressure will also stabilize. Your risk of certain types of cancers will also be less including stomach, liver and throat cancer.

    Read more about it at: http://coveteur.com/2019/02/12/mental-physical-effects-not-drinking-alcohol/

  • Medications You shouldn’t Mix with Alcohol

    Although some people swear by a hot toddy to cure a cold, experts say the mixture of alcohol and common prescription drugs can be dangerous.

    In a Readers Digest article Aaron White, PhD, senior advisor to the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) said that the number of Americans ending up in the emergency room each year for alcohol and drug interaction is increasing.

    Here are the notable medications that shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol,

    • Opioid based painkillers such as oxycodone. Mixing with alcohol has shown a 50% reduction in breathing within the first 30 minutes.
    • Sleeping pills. Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax when mixed with alcohol can affect the central nervous system.
    • Anti-depressants. When combined with alcohol, a compound found in beer and red wine can create a dangerous spike in your blood pressure.

    Other examples include allergy medicine, Acetaminophen, cold medicine, blood pressure medicine and antibiotics.

    Read more at https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/medications-never-mix-alcohol/

  • If You Suffer from Type 2 Diabetes Here’s The Alcoholic Drinks You Should Avoid

    If you have type 2 diabetes or know somebody who does, here’s the alcoholic drinks you should avoid,

    While you can still enjoy a drink, you must be cautious about how much you drink and what you drink.

    According to health experts, people with type 2 diabetes should avoid low sugar beers and cider which are often referred to as diabetic drinks because while they may have less sugar, they also have more alcohol. Just one low-sugar beer can apparently raise your blood alcohol level substantially.

    Also avoid low alcohol wines because they usually pack more sugar than normal wines.

    Beers, ales and ciders are also bad for you. These may increase your blood sugar levels exceedingly because they contain carbs.

    Instead opt for spirits, dry wines and Prosecco which contain less carbs.

    Also make sure the mixers you opt for with spirits are sugar-free.

    Read more at https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1084767/type-2-diabetes-diet-drinks-avoid-low-alcohol-wine-low-sugar-beer-cider

  • How to Make a Lime Simple Syrup for Your Cocktails

    Do you want something that can totally transform your cocktails at the tip of your fingers? Here is a simple way to make lime syrup for your cocktails that you can keep on hand for your next happy hour.

  • Crazy Coffee Cocktails

    These coffee cocktails are sure to give you buzz but they don’t just pack a punch, they are easy on the eye and taste buds. Watch the video to learn how they’re made.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAOzWum0bA4

  • The Low Calorie Alcoholic Drinks That Won’t Bust Your Diet

    If you want to enjoy a drink but don’t want to crash your diet, here are the best low calorie alcoholic choices,

    1. Vodka – vodka or tequila generally have a low calorie count and a low amount of sugar and zero carbs. Mix it with ice and water or sparkling water to keep the calories down.

    2. Dry white wine with low alcohol content – high-alcohol and sweet wine will have more calories than a dry, low-alcohol wine.

    3. Light beer – a lighter beer usually has around 98 calories, making it a good low calorie option.

    4. Mojito – Made the right way, a mojito can be low in calories. Make the low calorie version with 30ml of white rum, lime, mint, ice and soda – around 100 calories.

    See more at https://www.bhg.com.au/low-calorie-alcoholic-drinks

  • Alcohol Delivery for Teenagers A Concern

    Concerns are mounting over teenagers ordering alcohol online.

    Some of the websites delivering alcohol to homes are Airtasker, Jimmy Brings and Liquoroo which require a credit card and a smart phone.

    Although the law requires users to be over the age of 18, some accounts can be made with fake birthdays which don’t require verification and the service requires delivery drivers to check ID upon arrival.

    According to a NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming spokesman a range of controls are in place to regulate online liquor sales and sellers must follow a strict set of procedures. The spokesperson reminded businesses that it is an offence for alcohol ordered online to be delivered to a minor.

    The office is currently focusing on regulation of online and home delivery alcohol sales.

    One solution would be to ensure delivery drivers complete Responsible Service of Alcohol training so they can understand how to sell alcohol in a responsible way and the consequences for not doing so.

    Read more http://www.kiis1011.com.au/newsroom/plans-to-crack-down-on-alcohol-delivery-services-selling-booze-to-teens

  • The Damaging Effects of Drinking Everyday for a Month

    Although we’ve heard about the benefits of drinking moderately, research has emerged that shows drinking everyday for a month can have devastating effects on the body.

    The rule of thumb seems to be, to have at least one day a week when you abstain from alcohol completely.

    Here’s what happens to the body when we drink every single day for a month according to Dr Andrew Thornber, chief medical officer at Now Patient.

    1. Your risk of cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, voice box and oesophagus is increased as well as the risk of colon and rectum cancer. In women it increases the risk of breast cancer.
    2. Heavy drinking can cause high blood pressure, irregular heart beat and in the most severe cases it can lead to sudden death from heart failure.
    3. Too much alcohol causes weight gain because as we’ve discussed in the past, alcohol is high in calories. Excess weight increases our high blood pressure risk and can lead to diabetes.
    4. Sexually transmitted diseases is another risk because when we’re drunk we’re more likely to engage in dangerous sexual encounters. Being drunk actually lowers our inhibitions and increases risk taking behaviour.
    5. It causes your kidneys to overwork and produce more urine to get rid of the alcohol.

    Source: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1052655/drinking-alcohol-effects-damage-heart-weight-gain-sexual-health

  • India’s Deadly Alcohol Death Toll Rises to 39

    There have been at least 39 deaths and 27 people have fallen ill from drinking cheap toxic alcohol in a number of villages in northern India.

    Tests revealed the alcohol was laced with methanol, a massive illegal industry in the country.

    Police confirmed that 26 people had died in 2 separate incidents in Uttar Pradesh and 13 others died in the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand.

    The incidents happened during functions in the towns and police quickly arrested 8 suspected bootleggers. Corruption is also a major problem, with provincial governments suspending 35 officials including 12 police in relation to the incident.

    It is believed the people were served the alcohol at a function they attended. Some people had traveled from far to attend the event.

    Authorities said the problem of bootlegged alcohol is a major one in the country because illicit liquor is cheap while name brand alcohol is too expensive for the poor to afford. Cheap illegal alcohol is often laced with chemicals such as pesticides.

    Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-09/bootleg-alcohol-laced-with-toxic-methanol-kills-39-in-india/10796988

  • Ways to Reduce Problematic Drinking

    If your drinking is a little out of control or maybe you’re planning to cut down for health reasons, it’s not easy but there are some things you can do to make it a little simpler,

    1. Create a support network around yourself. This can help keep you accountable and help you stay on track.

    3. Avoid places where you normally drink, for now.

    In social settings saying no to a drink may be too difficult and your chances of giving in to peer pressure may be higher. So make it more difficult for yourself by avoiding your local pub or favourite club.

    4. Adapt your routine

    You may need to adapt your routine and make plans ahead of time to avoid certain people or places. Socialise in places where alcohol is less common. For example visit the local coffee shop instead of the pub to catch up with your mates.