alcohol
The big question section – does alcohol affect our guts and why?
our top takeaways
simple swap
Alternate between a glass of water and an alcoholic drink, or even better, hit the kombucha instead!
myth bust
Alcohol stops digestion. Not strictly true. In excess, alcohol can inhibit the production of digestive enzymes and juices, meaning it’s more difficult for your body to digest and absorb food.
We are all in favour of having a glass of our favourite tipple but we do need to be mindful of its effect on our gut health (and general health!).
Alcohol is absorbed in the upper intestinal tract and enters your liver via the portal vein. The gut-liver axis is a fairly new concept but the majority of research we have is on rodents (ethics play a big role in why good quality human studies are few and far between!).
The bacteria in your gut help you metabolise alcohol. This is one of the many reasons why we all tolerate alcohol in different ways. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause inflammation in your gut, which can result in the wall of your gut lining becoming more ‘permeable’.
This means that whole food particles and other substances in your gut, like, toxins, may cross the gut lining and enter your blood stream, which you don’t want! This can set off a cascade of immune responses and you could find yourself unable to tolerate foods you once could without symptoms. Chronic alcohol consumption may result in bacterial overgrowth and dysbiosis and the overall composition of the gut microbiome.
Let’s not forget about the day after the night before. Excessive alcohol can increase your desire to consume processed foods (we’ve all been there chowing down on a late night snack, when maybe we aren’t actually hungry). Increased consumption of highly processed foods can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome.
It isn’t all bad news….phew!
Red wine contains powerful polyphenols, which your gut bugs love. A systematic review found that polyphenols found in red wine had a positive effect on your gut microbes! However, too much will outweigh the benefits of those gut loving polyphenols.
Don’t use alcohol to quench your thirst, make sure you’ve had enough water before you have an alcohol drink, enjoy it and drink responsibly (get to know your units). Be mindful of your food choices the day after the night before and think about nourishing your gut instead.
disclaimer: The information on this website is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic, treatment or medical purpose. All health issues should be discussed with your GP and/or other qualified medical professional.
disclaimer: Please drink responsibly. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk
