For so many of us, the first day of summer marks the unofficial start to patio season. Yes, that sweet brief time we Canadians get to enjoy cocktails outside on decks and docks. So I thought what better time to decode some of the after effects of our late night cocktails.
To be clear, my goal isn’t to preach …merely to offer some sober second thought (couldn’t resist).
First off, one truly unfair stat is men can drink twice as much as women without facing health consequences. The Centres for Disease Control suggests up to two glasses of alcohol while women aim for no more than one a day. But if you go for annual check ups, you likely already know this from your doctor.
So let’s dig a little deeper … into the sleep cycle.
Many people believe that because alcohol is a sedative it helps them get a good night sleep. That’s not exactly true. A glass of wine or two may lull you to sleep faster .. but it’s also the reason you’re staring at the ceiling at 3am and forgetting things at 10am.
If the perk is a numbing effect from a glass or two of your favourite tipple, it’s only temporary. While your body relaxes, your gut and brain are experiencing increased inflammation. So instead of your brain working for you, it ends up working against you. Alcohol increases anxiety, not the other way around.
Here are a few easy and healthy ways to ensure you get a good night snooze and stay calmer too (Dr. Uma Naidoo, This is Your Brain on Food):
Increase Omega 3s (salmon, oysters, sardine, anchovies, flaxseed, walnuts)
Melatonin (eggs, fish, milk, rice, grains fruit, huts, seeds)
Tryptophan (pumpkin and squash seeds, roasted soybeans, lamb shoulder, cooked tuna)
L-ornithine (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soybeans and quinoa)
Chamomile
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