Cheers to Caution: Navigating Alcohol Consumption

It is the glue that in, too many cases, holds the party together. Or keeps the party going.

It is one of these glorified liquids that continues to be the magnet to pull people in and keep together. As much as alcohol raises the bar’s revenues, so does it raise other measurable bars - those of a metabolic kind. We hardly shy away from raising a glass to what we have to celebrate. From small wins to moments of unwinding and chilling, the consumption of alcohol is rising these days when looking at the numbers.

The decision to quit in 2018 has been a conscious one. Awareness of the outcomes of a few glasses too many, affecting my health on so many levels, living the life of temporary stress relief around the bottle, and in the end seeing the results unfold and grow in the wrong direction are merely some of the anchors of why I do not drink any more. It’s been my personal choice, and I couldn’t be happier.

While I do not dismiss alcohol in any form, shape and volume (it’s your choice as it has been my choice for decades so I followed in your footsteps), there still remains a discrepancy in how we portray one of the so-called “most cholesterol-raising foods" on the glycemic index without comparing it with that tipple.

Connected to the above, eggs still receive that stamp as the pure evil for rising cholesterol to unhealthy levels. This has been debunked years ago, in case you are not aware.

But when it comes to alcohol, little dare to raise this topic with levels beyond the healthy LDL levels. And this is hardly mentioned.?

Although the internet is inundated that a glass of wine is good for you (anti-oxidants and the presence of resveratrol), we often see a name, assess the health benefits coming with it, and draw a conclusion. Humanity hardly looks further and ignores the fact one must drink a couple of bottles before positive effects arise from resveratrol. Yes, you gain some benefits. It does not need any further explanation why your overall health may pivot towards the more negative side of boozing too much to see those benefits rise.

Studies about the damaging effects of too much alcohol on sleep, mental and physical health, and the lack of awareness also have to be raised. We all know it and still we drink too much regularly.

What’s too much? That’s for you to decide. We all are individuals with individual boundaries and how much we can accept. One can only have one beer and be off this planet while others absorb the alcohol molecules in fairly larger volumes without feeling a slight tingle.

Let me not further digress but let’s raise some points worth considering when alcohol is part of your life.

Avoid calorie bombs

It is better to have 2 light beers than 2 margaritas. The differences can run up to 500 calories without breaking a sweat. Again, it’s your choice, and I let you decide what’s the best worst choice you deem fit and move on. The more sophisticated drinks on the rocks may well be my choice due to the overall lower caloric intake.

Respect and intercept the bell curve

Recognize your sweet spot when drinking. If you’re still to hold a decent conversation at the 5-drink mark, hold it right there. Passing this level, and we all may know the outcome - shame, becoming the worst dancer ever, slurring, and even inappropriate actions are some of the moments snapped away the following day, And we all know what that feels like.

Even in business, too much and it can even cost you more than just your dignity. I am sure you do not want to fall back into that rabbit hole of “Why did I drink so much last night?” (facepalm) while not setting a representable tone.

Understand goal setting for health.

Caloric intake is not only around food. The devil lies more in the liquid details. Mathematically speaking, alcohol simply may not fit into the equation when bikini or speedo season is knocking on your door.

When sticking to a diet plan, alcohol is not recommended but there certainly are moments when that glass of wine fits in nicely. Post weight loss programmes and building up to those sustainable routines and habits, it may well be a better time.

It is all about making those adjustments, being more aware, and understanding that the finish line is actually a never-ending story of goal setting.

Recognise what alcohol is for.

This is a big one. In short, any drink does not bring physical benefits but that catch-up with your friends may well become a part of the process of having a cold one. That does not mean you drink yourself again to oblivion.

Just do not BS yourself why…

Fun, and entertaining, it can make that social connection lighten up. But it is not a prerequisite for some good conversations, sharing the love you have for one another, and laughing our butts off about the good old times with too much booze in our bellies.

While the above may not be something new, consistency in reminding ourselves how alcohol fits into our lives remains a tricky point. We tend to ignore it more often (one more drink for the road anyone?) or see it as that famous glue holding relationships and friendships together.

First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you. | F. Scott Fitzgerald

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