22/07/2026
š»š¾Letās talk about Alcohol and Health
š· That glass of w**e isnāt just adding calories⦠it also changes your bodyās priorities.
Ever wondered why a night of drinking often ends with snacking or pizza, chips or just bad choices? And why the next day you crave more sugary, fatty foods?
Hereās whatās happeningā¦
šŗ 1. Alcohol is treated as a toxin by your body. Your body canāt store alcohol, so it immediately puts almost everything else on hold to break it down. Burning fat and processing other nutrients takes a back seat.
š§ 2. It dehydrates you.
Alcohol suppresses the hormone that helps your body retain water, so you lose more fluid than usual. Even if you donāt feel thirsty, mild dehydration can contribute to headaches, fatigue, dizziness and poor concentration the next day.
š§ 3. Your decision-making changes.
Alcohol reduces activity in the part of the brain responsible for judgement and self-control. Suddenly that takeaway or late-night snack seems like a brilliant idea! At the same time, alcohol can increase appetite and make highly processed, high-fat, high-sugar foods much more appealing.
š“ 4. Your recovery takes a hit.
Even if you fall asleep quickly after drinking, alcohol disrupts sleep quality, particularly REM sleep. Less restorative sleep affects energy, mood, motivation and even hunger hormones the following day.
š© 5. The next-day cravings are real.
Poor sleep, dehydration and unstable blood sugar can leave you craving quick energy. Thatās why many people reach for pastries, fried breakfasts or sugary snacks after a night out.
This isnāt about never enjoying a drink. Itās about understanding whatās happening inside your body so you can make informed choices.
A few simple ways to reduce the impact:
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Drink water between alcoholic drinks.
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Eat a balanced meal with protein, fibre and healthy fats before drinking.
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Try not to drink on an empty stomach.
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Rehydrate well before bed and the next morning.
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Be kind to yourself the next day and focus on nourishing your body rather than restricting food.
Knowledge isnāt about guiltāitās about giving yourself the information to make choices that support your health.
What have you noticed about how your food choices change after drinking, or how you feel the next day?