Posted on November 14, 2013 by Jenny Cromack

Now let me start this by getting it clear that I don’t advise you to drink alcohol full stop, it’s more trouble than its worth! However, with that in mind I know the festive season is upon us and in our culture drinking alcohol is the hobby of choice at Christmas. So having a few sneaky little tricks to help speed the detoxification will be greatly received I’m sure, and will help to minimise abdominal weight gain.

The first sneaky tip is actually knowing what alcohol does to your body, drink some alcohol and expect the following:

• Consume 7 calories for every gram you ingest
• When you drink alcohol all other metabolic processes are put on hold until the alcohol is metabolized
• Fat and carbohydrate burning are halted which if you drink often can lead to weight gain.
• Your growth hormone production will be depressed….again leading to fat storage.
• There will be an increase in the transformation of oestrogen into testosterone

TACTIC 1- GREEN TEA

Read on for how drinking green tea tactically can minimise the negative effects of alcohol on the body.

Green tea is packed with antioxidants particularly a type called epigallocatechins, these protect the liver from alcohol damage, in fact not only do these amazing antioxidants counter stresses in the body that hinder liver function they have actually been shown to speed detoxification of alcoholic compounds

Here is the smashing bonus the short term effect of correct intake is no hangover!!

The long term effect is a reduction in weight gain around the abdomen

For this to work however you need a large dose, here are the key points for this to work

• At LEAST 5 cups a day, if this is too much I would strongly advise you to take a green tea supplement.
• Taking 500mg before and after indulging should be used to speed detoxification.
• Make sure that you select organic tea with non bleached tea bags

TACTIC 2- MILK THISTLE

It has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of liver problems. It’s a well known liver tonic that has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects when supplemented regularly. This amazing source of nutrition ahs also been shown to have anti- cancer properties to get the best benefits from this over the festive season:

• Take 140mg two to three times a day

TACTIC 3- TUMERIC

Curcumin is a super nutrient found in the spice turmeric, and multiple studies show it protects the liver from alcohol. It was shown to decrease the acute inflammation caused by alcohol, while enhancing detoxification. Curcumin is widely available in supplement form, but relatively high doses are required to achieve its positive effects, and curcumin is generally not absorbed that well.

• Typical doses are up to three grams of bioavailable curcumin extract, three to four times daily, and this is difficult to achieve using standard curcumin powders
• The best tip is to take the supplement with a good fat source and protein source, meals like scrambled eggs in coconut oil work very well
• You can also use turmeric liberally in your cooking; it has an earthy, peppery flavour. Not only will it help reduce the negative effects of alcohol but also help protect against cancer and a whole host of other illnesss.