E9

Catherine McCain

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Having a toast to our health has never been more guilt-free - as long as you don't look too closely at the fine print.

Red wine is the fountain of youth, reaping of anti-oxidants such as resveratrol, which has been linked with heart and cancer prevention. But like I said; just don't read the fine print and you can be guilt-free.

But what is the true impact of our celebrations?

A few drinks do more than just add up in calories. Alcohol can impact numerous pathways in our body and while it can offer health benefits, there are some caveats.

The initial impact will be on our hydration level. Alcohol will suppress the production of an antidiurectic hormone that can lead to dehydration and throw off our electrolytes. This may explain why some may experience nausea, dizziness, and headaches after having too many drinks.

Too many spirits can also trigger heartburn, as it stimulates our stomach to secrete more gastric juices. Our blood pressure readings may also jump up a few notches, especially if we drink on an empty stomach. Although a few drinks may make us seem more relaxed and content, our heart and blood vessels may not experience the same sensation. Alcohol can also cause our triglyceride levels to spike as well.

Even our bones can be affected by our merriment. Since alcohol can increase our levels of estrogen and testosterone, it may help reduce our risk of bone fractures and boost our bone density. But at the same time, excessive alcohol can accelerate bone loss since it flushes calcium from our body. Most experts suggest hedging on the side of caution if you're at risk of osteoporosis and choose your drinks wisely.

Another player not to be ignored is our liver, which has to try to detoxify our body. A little too much celebration can put this organ into overdrive and cause a build-up of fatty tissue, impairing how it works. Excessive alcohol can also cause cirrhosis, in which the liver is too damaged and can't regenerate and function properly.

Since alcohol can increase our estrogen levels, it appears to also increase our risk for breast cancer.

But it isn't all bad news.

The odd drink may actually help our brain. As we age, our brains cells will naturally die off, which leads to gaps that can slow down nerve transmission. A little alcohol seems to help prevent these gaps from forming, but it depends on how much we drink. Too many drinks can quickly kill off brain cells and lead to permanent memory loss. The problem is that once this starts to happen, we can't backtrack.

A drink a day may also be friendly for our heart. It has been linked with increasing our HDL cholesterol which is our cleaner, and reduce inflammation and help thin our blood just in case there are any narrowing passageways.

But the question is how many drinks is considered moderate?

In general, one to two drinks per day may offer the benefits but we can't exceed the two-drink limit and try to bank them for the weekend. It is a two-day maximum.

But before you reach for that glass, you may want to think twice about what that drink does for your appetite. Alcohol is known to be an appetite stimulant.

The old wives' tale of having a hot toddy before going to bed to help you relax also doesn't seem to have much support. Although we may initially become more relaxed and feel it easier to drift off to sleep, the alcohol can disrupt our REM sleep and make for a more restless sleep. Not exactly what we may be after.

So while we may lift our glass and toast to our heart, we should probably think twice about the second glass.

Catherine McCain, RD, BSc, MBA, is a consulting dietitian in private practice at a Fredericton physiotherapy clinic. She can be reached at 457-2722.