Alcohol and the diet dilemma

Anyone who has had bronchitis knows that the uncontrollable cough is very hard to shake off. It lingers even after the infection has cleared. Sometimes for as long as 6 weeks.  I had many people suggesting home remedies ranging from ginger, honey and lemon to brandy and honey. Other recipes also suggest  mint leaves, eucalyptus, cinnamon and the list goes on.

The suggestion of brandy got me interested in the subject of alcohol. Much as I wanted to get rid of the cough, I didn't want to sabotage my progress by knocking back three or more shots of Brandy and spoonfuls of honey throughout the day.

Alcohol has many negative effects that stem from the dehydration it causes and its effect on nutrient absorption and metabolism. Alcohol can damage your brain, make you dependent on the buzz and affect your mood. It also makes you more prone to injury, lowers immunity and in chronic cases of alcoholism nutrient deficiencies are common.  A bad drinking habit will make you gain weight and pretty much cancel out the gains made during training.

In terms of calories and health benefits, beer and wine are probably the best choices. Hard liquor is very high in calories and alcohol content and usually requires a mixer that can often be calorie-laden too. High alcohol volume drinks are not the best because the more you drink the harder it is to stop drinking and the more likely it is that you will over-indulge in food and engage in other irresponsible behaviours.

From a cardiovascular health and cancer prevention stand point, wine is often touted to be the best form of alcohol. These benefits are mostly found with red wine. Red wine, though, usually has upwards of 11% alcohol volume. A 140ml serving of wine (small glass) can contain about 80 - 120 calories. This means that a 300ml serving of wine is well over 200 calories.

If you are an active person and already leading a healthy lifestyle, I would expect that your cardiovascular system is already in a pretty good state. It would be better for you to drink light beer.
Not only do you benefit from fewer calories but it may be easier mentally since you can drink a little more.  Beer has also been found to contain antioxidants and vitamins that may provide a health benefit. A 340ml bottle of light beer can come in as low as 55 calories. A 340ml bottle of Castle Lite has 104 calories. Some ciders aren't too bad either. A 340ml bottle of Savannah Light contains 136 calories. The alcohol content in light beer and light ciders is lower, typically 2.8% - 4% volume so you won't be motherless after a few drinks.

Remember that whichever you choose, light beer or wine, alcohol messes up your metabolism. Your body stops burning fat from the food you are eating and prefers to burn off the alcohol first. This is a recipe for fat storage.  Say Hello! to a 'beer belly'

You are chasing your tail if you are going to have more than two drinks everyday. It is very easy to over indulge in alcohol so be wise and put in checks and balances so you don't overdo it.

If you are like me and serious about your fitness and weight loss goals, what is the best alcohol for you to drink? Nothing. Drink water instead. Lots of water and a mix of ginger, honey and lemon once a day got rid of my 'bronchitis cough' in nine days.