| It is possible to reduce your alcohol cravings by | | | | harm of moderate alcohol consumption. Specific |
| changing your diet. | | | | nutrients that protect from long term damage are |
| In this article: find out why malnourishment, | | | | the B-complex vitamins; Vitamins A, C and E; |
| hypoglycemia and coffee increase desire for a | | | | magnesium, selenium and zinc. These are best |
| drink. | | | | obtained from whole foods - fresh vegetables and |
| Plus get a list of the top foods for reducing | | | | fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood |
| alcohol cravings. | | | | and meat. |
| Poor diets lead to more alcohol consumption. | | | | Many of the toxic effects of alcohol are due to |
| Malnourishment can lead to alcohol addiction for a | | | | associated nutritional deficiencies - not the alcohol |
| variety of physiological reasons. Alcoholism is a | | | | itself. The body has increased requirements for |
| common and unfortunate side-affect of poverty. | | | | vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other |
| A predilection for junk food is no doubt a | | | | micronutrients when metabolising alcohol and |
| contributing factor to heavy drinking amongst | | | | clearing it from the blood. |
| teenagers - rich and poor alike. | | | | Consider how B-vitamin booster tablets such as |
| Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar tends to | | | | "Berocca" can offer relief from a hangover. Miso |
| stimulate alcohol cravings | | | | soup will also have the same affect. It's best |
| Alcohol consumption contributes to hypoglycemia - | | | | however to have your body well-stocked in |
| a tragic cycle that has disastrous health | | | | nutrients before having a drink! |
| consequences in the long term. The drop in blood | | | | Low Carbohydrate and Low Protein diets are |
| sugar produces a craving for food, particularly | | | | potentially damaging in themselves, and will reduce |
| food that quickly elevate blood sugar: refined | | | | the body's ability to efficiently metabolise and |
| carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol. Hypoglycemia | | | | excrete alcohol. |
| aggravates the mental and emotional problems of | | | | 2) Drink Water and stay well-hydrated |
| alcoholism, with such symptoms as sweating, | | | | Dehydration is one of the major reasons we may |
| rapid heart beat, anxiety, hunger, dizziness, | | | | feel so terrible after a party! Anybody who's |
| headache, visual disturbance, confusion and | | | | suffered even a mild hangover knows the |
| depression. A whole food diet with cars like | | | | dehydrating effect of alcohol. Water is required to |
| vegetables, whole grains and beans will even out | | | | detoxify and eliminate alcohol from the body. The |
| blood sugar imbalance. | | | | more alcohol we drink, the more water we need. |
| The Coffee Connection | | | | Drink extra water before going out, during the |
| If alcohol had a rival as the number one drug of | | | | party and again in the morning. |
| choice for Westerners it would have to be | | | | 3) Get Regular Exercise |
| caffeine. While coffee doesn't cause the direct | | | | Regular aerobic exercise will boost the metabolism |
| social harm that alcohol does, the two go hand in | | | | and help the body clear alcohol and residual waste |
| hand, fuelling a cycle of nutritional depletion. | | | | products more efficiently. Unfortunately heavy |
| Caffeine is a stressor on the body, upsetting | | | | drinking is a common element of our sporting |
| blood sugar balance, promoting mineral loss and | | | | culture, for spectators and athletes alike; athletes |
| causing dehydration. Several studies have shown | | | | get away with drinking alcohol, to a certain |
| that regular coffee drinking tends to lead to | | | | extent, because of the exercise. You may know |
| increased alcohol consumption. | | | | many 30 - 40 year olds who move from the |
| There are many good reasons to reduce or avoid | | | | playing field to the armchair (with a can of beer) |
| coffee - the alcohol connection is just one. | | | | and quickly put on weight. |
| If we do drink alcohol - how can we protect the | | | | A Note About Healing Chronic Alcoholism |
| body from potential damage? | | | | Chronic long-term alcohol addiction requires |
| Alcohol consumption relates closely to nutrition | | | | professional help. A good recovery programme |
| and other lifestyle factors. Food choices can | | | | will include nutritional assessment, dietary |
| protect the body from alcohol-related damage | | | | adjustments and supplementation as required. A |
| and reduce the potential of becoming addicted. | | | | high-raw diet with supplemental magnesium and |
| 1) Eat Well | | | | Evening Primrose Oil can reduce the severity of |
| A well-balanced and nourishing diet, with plenty of | | | | alcohol withdrawal. |
| raw plant foods, can protect from the potential | | | | |