It is no secret that even the healthiest people on the planet probably partake in an alcoholic drink or two at some point, because life is truly all about balance. Just because you enjoy a drink every now and then does not mean you are a bad person or that your health is completely out the window. Enjoying alcohol every now and then is great when it comes to keeping your life in balance, hanging out with some friends, enjoying an event or just simply relaxing or letting loose every once in awhile.
Don’t beat yourself up over a drink here or there. In fact, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, about two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women, might have some health benefits. The important thing is to educate yourself on what happens to your body when do you consume alcohol. This is what makes you truly responsible by acknowledgeing what really happens and what you can do to help your body recover effectively.
First things first… which vitamins and minerals are lost when one consumes alcohol?
The body treats alcohol as fat. It converts the alcohol sugars into fatty acids. It does not contain beneficial proteins, minerals, or vitamins. Actually, alcohol inhibits the absorption and usage of vital nutrients.
These are some of the vitamins and minerals that take the worse beating AND why they are important to replenish:
Vitamin A.: Helps with cell growth, cellular communication an, immune system performance. During flu season it is even more important to make sure your immune system is running at top notch. Replenish with – colorful fruits and vegetables, like carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, apricots, and leafy greens.
B1 (Thiamine): Excessive drinking is notorious for causing a deficiency in thiamine. Thiamine is crucial for carbohydrate metabolizing and the formation of ATP, which is your body’s method of energy production. Replenish with – whole or enriched grains, beans, and seeds.
Magnesium: An extremely important mineral that has hundreds of roles in the cells. Deficiency can lead to high blood pressure, muscle cramps, headaches (We can all probably say this is a huge side effect that we feel), diabetes, osteoporosis, and anxiety. Replenish with – leafy green vegetables, avocados, beans, seeds, and nuts.
B2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin helps with metabolism and tons and tons of other cell functions. The bonus is that you can find Riboflavin is just about anything. Replenish with – healthy, whole, nonprocessed foods.
B6 (Pyridoxine): Lacking B6 can lead to anemia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Replenish with – Bananas, potatoes, poultry and sneak in a shot of your grandparent’s prune juice.
Vitamin C.: It is essential for tissue and bone repair and the elimination of free radicals and not getting scurvy. Replenish with – Fruits and vegetables specifically citrus fruits are especially rich in this essential nutrient. And no, drinking orange juice in the form of a screwdriver or mimosa does not cancel out what the alcohol deprives the body of.
Vitamin D.: This vitamin is your bone’s best friend. Without Vitamin D your body can have problems with osteoporosis, rickets and general bone and teeth weaknesses. Replenish with – dairy products, fish, liver, and sunlight.
And, of course, water: An effect of drinking alcohol is dehydration because alcohol is a diuretic. H2O is an extremely important nutrient that must be replaced every day. Drink some and then drink some more.
Does this list seem a little lengthy to keep track of? Well, the good news is that our EBOOST SUPER FUEL, SUPER POWDER, and SHOTS you can replenish a lot of these vitamins and minerals for your body. So next time, you’ve had a couple to drink, boost your body’s vitamins and minerals with some EBOOST.
