By: @KaylaBarnesSince the beginning of time, we have tried to find ways that alcohol could be a part of a healthy diet. As a certified brain health coach, I hate to be the one to say this, but alcohol is not health-promoting. Although alcohol contains a beneficial compound, called resveratrol, you would have to consume a very unhealthy amount of red wine to receive an adequate amount of it. Where instead, you can just take a supplement of resveratrol. Now, let's talk about what alcohol actually does to the brain. For starters, alcohol can significantly reduce blood flow to the brain. When we have proper blood flow, we optimize our oxygen and nutrient delivery. We also optimize our brain's glymphatic system (ie. cellular waste removal system) that is most active at night. How do we confirm that alcohol reduces blood flow to the brain? As a certified brain health coach, I review and analyze SPECT scans (ie. brain scans) that show blood flow, and two of the biggest culprits in reducing blood flow to the brain are alcohol and THC. Alcohol also reduces the quality of our sleep. Sleep is essential to brain health. During sleep, we store memories, and our brain's cellular clean-up occurs, which is crucial for clearing out “plaques” that can lead to neurodegenerative disorders later on. If we decrease the quality of our sleep with alcohol consumption, our brains will suffer. Many think that alcohol helps them sleep. Alcohol can help you initially fall asleep, but it will disrupt your deep stages of sleep (ie. deep and REM) and keep your brain from achieving the restoration it needs. Research also suggests that long-term alcohol consumption of more than one drink per day can lead to neurodegeneration, ranging from poor message signaling to full-on cell death. Alcohol can also cause damage to the blood-brain barrier, making it more permeable. So, do we have to cut out alcohol completely? Well, that depends. If you want to go by the book for health optimization, I recommend cutting it out entirely or significantly reducing your consumption. The good news is that if we primarily practice brain-healthy habits, we can enjoy a glass of wine or two now and then with significantly less impact than if we are not leading a brain-healthy lifestyle. In the case that you do choose to partake in alcohol consumption from time to time, I recommend organic and biodynamic red wine, which will ensure that your libation is free from toxic coloring and additives that are often used in conventional wines. I recommend skipping hard liquor and beer altogether. |
|
The Wellness Club
![Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/CDA4150D-BE2E-4EBA-B041-5C6AFE5A1830.jpg?v=1719948763&width=320)
Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?
By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil Over the past few years intermittent fasting has become the golden child of the wellness community all due to the miraculous effects it can have on your health. Intermittent fasting is avoiding eating or drinking...
![Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/90AA826A-FD15-4702-B712-73124CDF6549.jpg?v=1719523329&width=320)
Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?
A Note from a Dermatologist: @dermahealthnutrition The world of aesthetic dermatology is experiencing a refreshing shift towards a trend known as "skinimalism" (Skin + Minimalism). This movement is a response to the overwhelming abundance of skincare products and complex routines that have dominated the beauty industry in recent years. At its core, skinimalism advocates a minimalist approach...
![Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/081F5D0A-0720-4EE4-8EF0-9D6085DA0B73.jpg?v=1719442402&width=320)
Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery
By: @ericabassotherapy Many of us are busier than ever before. We juggle demanding careers, personal responsibilities, and social obligations to name a few, and if you’re a high-achiever this list may never seem to end. Burnout is a growing concern today due...
![How Alcohol Effects Your Gut](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/EEBE548E-2D42-4CAF-96CA-8A522295E2AA.jpg?v=1717781177&width=320)
How Alcohol Effects Your Gut
By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood By now, almost everyone knows that alcohol is not the healthiest thing for our minds and bodies. But what do we know about the effect that alcohol has on our gut microbiome health? Before I answer this, there are a few terms I want to define for...
![The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/B43AD986-248F-4E51-8462-3B1979BC05FC.jpg?v=1716832207&width=320)
The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face
By: @ericabassotherapy It's hopeful to see how much society has progressed in embracing mental health discussions. But as a mental health provider, I still notice gaps in our understanding of accurate mental health information. We can all get better at recognizing signs of mental health struggles and feeling empowered to seek support when needed. As a licensed...
![The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/994F3EE3-7DFD-4A72-84DF-C8DA08E41186.jpg?v=1716587305&width=320)
The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion
By: @drmelissa.co The concept of the skin barrier has become a part of many skincare aficionado’s vocabulary, but what does it really mean? It is important to remember...
![The Ancient Ritual of Oil Pulling](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/B4C84347-24EB-42A0-8A0D-9756966F5796.jpg?v=1714423400&width=320)
The Ancient Ritual of Oil Pulling
By: @emily_campbell Oil pulling has been an ancient ritual in India and is a sacred practice that has roots in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. Known in Sanskrit as Kavala Graha or Gandusha, the regime of swishing around 1 tbsp of oil for 15-20 minutes and then spitting it out is primarily used for its oral health benefits. This simple regime has been...
![The Mental Health Benefits From Travel](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/9009A8DF-1B35-46B4-8537-503FC872B87E.jpg?v=1714167816&width=320)
The Mental Health Benefits From Travel
By: @ericabassotherapy We can all probably recall that moment when you’re finally feeling relaxed on vacation and you hear yourself expressing, “I need to do this more often!”. Despite the research that supports the mental health benefits of taking regular vacations and traveling, it’s been found that a significant number of American workers don’t take all of their allocated...
![High Intensity Exercise: Good or Bad?](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/D9E6D40E-A21A-4D6F-883C-46B19EDC89BD.jpg?v=1713820760&width=320)
High Intensity Exercise: Good or Bad?
By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil HIIT or high intensity interval training has become a pretty normal part of modern training, its something you have probably already done without even realising it. It was popularised over a decade ago with Crossfit and now modernised in many forms of classes we see at gyms as well as being seen all over the web with HIIT routines and...
![5 Benefits of Reformer Pilates](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/3E58B803-9E46-4115-9381-C94DEFFFDBEA.png?v=1712252961&width=320)
5 Benefits of Reformer Pilates
By: @coreflexpilates, founder Chris Bardawil Reformer pilates is everywhere, it's not just all over social media we are also seeing our favourite celebs doing it. The reality is reformer pilates has been a staple of many people’s exercise routines for over a decade now, and for good reason.
![Burnout: What Is It and How to Recover](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/83F03EBD-2F77-41C7-8D02-ACBE0DC3C9E9.png?v=1712093334&width=320)
Burnout: What Is It and How to Recover
By: @drmelissa.co Burnout is a concern I see often in clinical practice. Although it is not a diagnosable disease, it is a syndrome, meaning it is defined by a set of symptoms, but does not have a consistent progression or clear treatment plan. In other words, burnout is a very real issue, but may look different from person to person and require...
![Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism](http://sportyandrich.com/cdn/shop/articles/9B934416-AE0A-4A31-9587-618A1F3499DA.jpg?v=1711580120&width=320)
Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism
By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood Did you know that up to 60% of cases of Hashimoto’s disease go undiagnosed? Or that women are 5 to 8 times more likely to have a thyroid condition? Knowing these facts, it is shocking that so many of us are still unclear about...