A glass of wine a day can keep the heart doctor away, but there are certain limits to alcohol that we must consider if we want to stop from aging prematurely! Or in this case, from looking older than we are.
While most of us appreciate a nice red with dinner or a pint after work, the sad truth is that alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which in turn causes the skin to lose moisture and elasticity. This leads to sagginess, wrinkles, and a generally aged appearance. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the brain's communication pathways, leading to poor balance, memory loss, and other negative outcomes.
talk about some cool health tips to take into consideration if you are going on a bender and want to avoid looking older the next day:
- Drink lots of water before, during, and after alcohol consumption: First, alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes the body to lose fluids making your skin look less plump, enhancing wrinkles. When combined with the effects of dehydration, this can lead to feelings of dizziness, headache and fatigue, which in turn reduces cellular regenetaion. Second, alcohol can intensify the effects of heat and sun exposure, making it even more important to stay hydrated in order to protect our skin from the harmful rays. Finally, drinking water helps to flush toxins out of the body! So even if you're not drinking alcohol, it is important to carry around a nice reusable water bottle with you.
- No matter how drunk you might be, DO YOUR SKINCARE!: Skin is the largest organ in the human body and it’s also the thinnest, making it susceptible to damage. One of the ways to keep skin healthy is to cleanse it daily, and that includes washing your face before bed. Sleeping with a clean face allows your skin to repair itself overnight, and it also helps to prevent breakouts. In addition, face washing removes any dirt, oil, or makeup that may have accumulated during the day. This can clog pores and lead to blemishes. So, if you want to wake up with glowing, healthy skin, be sure to wash your face before going to sleep.
- Avoid sugary mixers - they'll only make you feel worse the next day: Consuming alcohol and sugar together can have some harmful effects on your health. Alcohol is a depressant, while sugar is a stimulant. Mixing the two can cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, leading to feelings of fatigue and low energy. In addition, alcohol can interfere with your body's ability to process sugar, which can lead to weight gain. Consuming alcohol and sugar together can also dehydrate you and make it more difficult for your body to recover from a hangover. So if you're looking to enjoy a healthy night out, it's best to avoid mixing alcohol and sugar.
- Eat a hearty meal before drinking alcohol - it'll help slow down absorption: When you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, it's absorbed into your bloodstream more quickly. Eating a hearty meal before drinking can slow down this process. Fatty foods, in particular, help to delay the absorption of alcohol. This is because they stay in the stomach longer and take up more space, which means that there's less room for the alcohol to be absorbed. As a result, eating a hearty meal can help to reduce the effects of alcohol and prevent you from becoming intoxicated too quickly. So if you're planning on drinking, be sure to eat something first!
- Choose clear liquors: Clear liquors, also sometimes called "white" liquors, are spirits that are colorless and have a high alcohol content. The most common clear liquors are vodka, gin, and tequila. These liquors get their colorless appearance from the distillation process, which removes all of the congeners and impurities that can give liquor a darker color. Clear liquor is often seen as being healthier than dark liquor because it contains fewer congeners. Congeners are chemicals that are produced during fermentation, and they can cause hangovers and other adverse effects. Therefore, drinking clear liquor is generally considered to be a better choice for those looking to avoid these negative effects. In addition, clear liquors tend to be lower in calories than their darker counterparts, making them a good choice for those watching their weight. So, whether you're looking to avoid a hangover or just watch your calorie intake, stick to clear liquors the next time you're out for a drink.
In conclusion, while alcohol can have some harmful effects on your health and aging process, there are ways to minimize these risks by making smart choices when you drink. Take our TruTest today with our TruAge Bundle, so you can know your genetic age today, and test again in 6 months after making changes to your routine so you can track how you turn back the clock!