Nutrition III - Nutrition and Lifestyle - Food and Beverages to Avoid; Alcohol and healthy drinks

Question 1

Alcohol

Answer 1

Alcohol (ethanol) is a toxin
* Ethanol is not the only toxin in alcoholic drinks
* Other toxins include: artificial colours, flavours and preservatives such as sulphur dioxide (an irritant to mucus membranes of the eyes in respiratory tract)
* Substances, other than ethanol, form during fermentation (congeners) that are known toxins; e.g. amines, acetones
* Consumption is associated with around 60 acute and chronic diseases
* Alcohol use at any amount is directly linked to loss of health
* A recent review in the Lancet highlights there is no safe level

Question 2

Digestion and absorption

Answer 2

Alcohol consumption impairs digestion and absorption:
* Decreases pancreatic enzymes needed to digest food
* Damages mucosal cells of the stomach and intestine impairing absorption
* Those nutrients absorbed are not fully utilised by the body as alcohol can alter transport, storage and excretion
* Impairs fat absorption and, therefore, absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K
* Alcohol also burdens the liver which processes the alcohol and impairs sleep (as alcohol is a sedative which fragments sleep and blocks the REM phase, leading to a less restorative to sleep)

Question 3

Healthy drinks

Answer 3

One doesn’t need to be drunk to be ‘happy’!
* Start by switching out alcoholic drinks for a healthy alternative
* Be creative, garnish with herbs or sliced fruit
* Fresh strawberries blended with coconut water, ice and a touch sea salt
* Herb-infused fresh filtered water
* Kombucha or kefir – a good source of probiotics
* Filtered water (hot or cold) – add: fresh mint and lemon, grated ginger, sliced strawberries or cucumber
* Freshly pressed vegetable or fruit juices