Top Safety Drinking Tips For New Years

December 13, 2023

During the holiday season, we see a rise in alcohol consumption thanks to parties and social gatherings. This article will discuss the dangers of alcohol consumption, holiday drinking tips, the most popular sugar-free mocktail recipes, and the benefits of BIND during the holiday season.

The Dangers of Holiday Drinking

According to the US Department of Transportation:

37 people in the United States die in drunk driving crashes every day.
Over 10,000 people suffer fatal injuries from drunk driving accidents annually.
The risk of being involved in an alcohol-related accident increases during the holiday season.
New Year’s Eve is ranked as having the highest rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

How Alcohol Could Affect the Body

In addition to impaired driving, alcohol can hurt the body. Here are several ways chronic alcohol consumption could affect health:

Impact on the Immune System

Alcohol abuse is believed to suppress the immune response, which could increase the risk of infections. Researchers note the increased severity of both bacterial and viral infections in patients who abused alcohol could result in higher rates of illness and mortality.^[1]

Increased Risk of Tumor Growth

Consuming alcohol may cause increased tumor growth in the liver, breast, digestive tract, and colon. In addition, alcohol was found to cause DNA damage and block DNA repair.^[2]

Impact on Liver Health

Studies indicate the liver can tolerate moderate alcohol consumption, but as the consumption increases, the risk of liver disorders increases. As consumption continues, "alcoholic cirrhosis” can occur, which is categorized as severe damage to liver cells.^[3]

Potential Dangers to Heart Health

Low to moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in some studies. However, greater amounts of alcohol consumption and binge drinking (more than five standard drinks on a single occasion) have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.^[4]

Brain Health Affected

Alcohol use has been linked to several mood disorders, including feeling low, numb, and irritable. Feelings of worthlessness and difficulty concentrating are common side effects as well. Long-term consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of suffering from anxiety, mood disorders, and feelings of depression.^[5]

Safe Drinking Tips

For those who choose to consume a few drinks, here are a few tips to try and prevent hangovers:

Drink a glass of water between drinks or after drinking.
Drink slowly and on a full stomach.
Drink in moderation.

Mocktails: A Healthier Option for the Holidays?

Mocktails are a great alternative to consuming alcoholic beverages. Mocktails are mixed drinks typically served alongside drinks containing alcohol. However, the difference is mocktails contain the juices and other ingredients of alcoholic beverages minus the liquor and alcohol-based ingredients.

Sugar-free mocktails are also available, offering a great way to enjoy tasty beverages while on a ketogenic diet. Here are a few popular sugar-free mocktail drinks:

1. Keto Piña Colada Mocktail

Ingredients

Fresh pineapple, finely chopped: 1 cup
Lime zest: from 1 lime
Coconut milk (unsweetened, full-fat): ½ cup
Pineapple extract: 1 tsp
Ice cubes

Instructions

If using fresh pineapples, chop them into small, bite-sized pieces.
In a blender, combine the chopped pineapple, lime zest, coconut milk, and pineapple extract. Blend until smooth.
Serve over crushed ice in a glass. Adjust consistency by adding more coconut milk if desired.

Note: Pineapple extract is used to enhance the flavor without the sugars present in pineapple juice.

2. Keto Sparkling Mint/Basil Mojito Mocktail

Ingredients

Fresh mint leaves: ½ cup
Fresh basil leaves: ¼ cup
Sparkling water (plain): 18 oz

Instructions

Combine 3 tablespoons of mint and 3 tablespoons of basil in a glass bowl.
Muddle the herbs for several minutes to release their flavors.
Divide it into 2 glasses.
Top up with sparkling water and stir gently.

3. Keto Mimosa Mocktail

Ingredients

Unsweetened orange extract: 1 tsp
Sparkling water (plain): 2 cups
Sparkling lemon-flavored water OR Sparkling water with a splash of lemon extract: 2 cups
Fresh orange zest (optional)

Instructions

In a pitcher, mix the unsweetened orange extract with plain sparkling water.
Add sparkling lemon-flavored water or sparkling water with a splash of lemon extract. Stir gently to combine.
Pour into 4 chilled glasses.
Garnish with fresh orange zest on the rim of the glasses and serve.

These keto-friendly mocktails offer the essence and aroma of the original drinks but with substitutions that are more suitable for a keto diet, ensuring low sugar and carb content.

Supplement Spotlight: BIND - Toxin Elimination

During the holiday season, consuming foods and beverages they typically would not eat is common. Unfortunately, many of these foods may contain ingredients that are harmful to the body.

BIND - Toxin Elimination attaches to toxins, pathogens other unhealthy particles and helps remove them from the body. This powerful product prevents these invaders from re-entering the body (retoxification) by using a powerful blend of activated charcoal, humates, and top botanicals that are safely removed from the body via the colon.

In addition to preventing toxins and other harmful items from entering the body,BIND provides the following benefits:

Absorbs up to 300 times its weight in toxins
Binds to candida, molds, and other biotins in the body, preventing their reabsorption
Contains apple and flax for fiber
Attaches to viruses, preventing their attachment to cell membranes
Rich in antibiotics to support leaky gut
Does not interfere with nutrient absorption or intestinal function
Helps trap and remove herbicides, pesticides, and plastics consumed from nonorganic foods
Helps to reduce gas and bloating

BIND is an all-natural supplement that is especially helpful during the holiday season when consuming foods or beverages that may be harmful to the body.

Summary

It is quite common to indulge in alcoholic beverages during the holiday season. Unfortunately, they can be hazardous to our health. Instead of drinking alcohol, try a few delicious mocktails instead. What is your favorite mocktail? Share your favorite recipes here!

References:

Patricia E Molina 1, Kyle I Happel, Ping Zhang, (et al). Focus on: Alcohol and the immune system. Alcohol Res Health. 2010;33(1-2):97-108. [PMID: 23579940]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23579940/
Harriet Rumgay 1, Neil Murphy 2, Pietro Ferrari, (et al). Alcohol and Cancer: Epidemiology and Biological Mechanisms. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 11;13(9):3173. doi: 10.3390/nu13093173. [PMID: 34579050].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34579050/
Roshan Patel; Matthew Mueller. Alcoholic Liver Disease – StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546632/
Mariann R. Piano, Ph.D.Alcohol’s Effects on the Cardiovascular System. Alcohol Res. 2017; 38(2): 219–241. PMCID: PMC5513687. PMID: 28988575. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513687/
R. Kathryn McHugh and Roger D. Weiss. Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders. Alcohol Res. 2019; 40(1): arcr.v40.1.01. Published online 2019 Oct 21. doi: 10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01 [PMID: 31649834]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6799954/

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