Recently I have been talking to about trying to lose those unwanted kilos, and one of the questions that keeps popping up is "What about alcohol".
So today I want to explain the effects of alcohol on weight loss (or gain), but more importantly on your overall health.
The calories in an average glass of wine or beer (see tip sheet) require approximately twenty minutes of exercise to burn. So if you are consuming 9 drinks per week then you need to do three hours of exercise just to burn off those calories, another 3 hours to burn off your food which means it is your seventh session that will be contributing to your weight loss.
Now looking good in a pair of boardies is one thing, being around to see your "Grandkids" is another thing altogether. Excess alcohol consumption can have fatal consequences, moderate alcohol consumption can have some positive health effects although it is important to realize that even moderate consumption affects your body in a number of ways.
Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption
Arthritis: Increases risk of gouty arthritis.
Cancer: Increases the risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
Heart Disease: Raises blood pressure, blood lipids, and the risk of stroke and heart disease in heavy drinkers. Heart disease is generally lower in light to moderate drinkers.
Hyperglycemia: Raises blood glucose.
Hypoglycemia: Lowers blood glucose, especially for people with diabetes.
Kidney Disease: Enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions, and increases the risk of kidney failure.
Liver Disease: Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Malnutrition: Increases the risk of protein-energy malnutrition, low intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6, and riboflavin, and impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and zinc.
Nervous Disorders: Causes neuropathy and dementia; impairs balance and memory.
Obesity: Increases energy intake, but is not a primary cause of obesity.
Psychological disturbances: Causes depression, anxiety, and insomnia, all of which will have a negative effect on your productivity at work.
Now I am not suggesting you give up alcohol altogether, but rather just take personal responsibility for your health needs (goals) and use alcohol accordingly.
I have attached a tip sheet on how to reduce alcohol and an alcoholic drink calorie counter sheet to help you make more informed decisions.
" Few people will turn to themselves to take responsibility for their results until they have exhausted all opportunities to blame someone else"
Commentaires