Ways to hack your holiday alcohol 🍻

‘Tis the season to be jolly drinking a tad much? For many of us, holidays and celebrations have been synonymous with alcohol. 

While we don't recommend drinking (Yes, call us the Grinch), here's a cheat sheet to help you avoid the adverse consequences of drinking.

And hey, if you are someone who doesn’t need a drink to celebrate, flaunt your knowledge if you happen to go to a party. 

Read on to learn more about the relationship between alcohol and glucose and how that can help you avoid the dreaded hangover. 

How does alcohol metabolize in our body? 🍺

When we consume alcohol, it is distributed in the same concentration throughout the water in the body to our brain, heart and muscles. The alcohol is metabolized in two ways– using oxidative and non-oxidative pathways. 

Oxidative pathways: It involves the removal or addition of hydrogen or oxygen. This is primarily done through the liver and the stomach. 

Due to the direct absorption of alcohol from the stomach, the liver receives a greater concentration compared to the other parts. After it's consumed, this gets absorbed from the small intestine by the veins that collect blood from the stomach leading to the liver. The enzyme called Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) is used to metabolize this in the liver. 

There are primarily two processes that take place here:

• Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde through the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH).
• Acetaldehyde is further converted to acetate through the enzyme Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH).

About 90% of alcohol is metabolized in the liver and the remaining 10% in the stomach.

Non-oxidative pathway: This occupies a minimal proportion of metabolization. This is carried out by the brain with the help of enzymes which particularly do not contain Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH). 

Though our bodies go through the same process for the metabolization of alcohol, the rate of absorption differs on the basis of the drink you consume. 

• The alcohol is absorbed quickest when consumed on an empty stomach. This peaks after an hour of drinking. That’s why that empty-stomach vodka shot hits you like a truck due to its high alcohol percentage. 
• Consumption of carbohydrate-heavy food slows down the rate of absorption.
• Carbonated cocktails accelerate the absorption of alcohol in the blood. This happens due to the increased pressure in the stomach and small intestine. This forces quicker absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

What are the effects of alcohol on glucose? 📉

Time to take a step further and understand the effect of alcohol on our glucose levels. 

Alcohol’s effects vary with your diet, lifestyle, what you have consumed recently, and if you are in a fasting state or are on a ketogenic diet, among other variables.

 Under normal conditions, alcohol lowers glucose levels for up to 12 hours. The extent of the decrease would largely vary from person to person and drink to drink.

We have even noticed this with Ultrahuman M1, where users have reported lower glucose levels when consuming alcohol.

 Why does this happen? 

• The liver makes glucose through amino acids like lactate, alanine, and glycerol in a process called Gluconeogenesis.
• The liver also breaks down stored chains of glucose through the process of Glycogenolysis.
• During the absorption of alcohol in the liver, the ADH enzyme releases substances which block the process of Gluconeogenesis. This leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels.

It is important to note that hypoglycemia mimics the effects of alcohol. A few of the common symptoms include dizziness, feeling lightheaded or getting sleepy. So, before you think low glucose levels are due to alcohol, you might want to get that checked. 

 Here’s a more in-depth science into how alcohol affects glucose levels. 

5 ways to hack your holiday alcohol🥂

Blood alcohol content (BAC) is the main indicator of your alcohol consumption. Using BAC, you can smartly drink by keeping an eye on this metric.

1. Resort to a full meal before drinking

• Food in the stomach slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. This avoids a sudden increase in BAC. 
• Snack on non-salty or carb-heavy foods (complex carbs). This helps dilute the concentration of alcohol and reloads your body with vitamins and minerals that alcohol depletes. 

2. Stay hydrated 

• Consumption of non-alcoholic drinks, preferably water, helps you mitigate the dehydration caused by alcohol. Thus, reducing the possibility of a hangover.

3. Pace your drinks

• Consume one drink per hour. This is the standardised measurement for our body to absorb alcohol. The faster you drink, the higher your BAC.

4. When you are exhausted, drink less or avoid drinking

• Exhaustion magnifies the effects of alcohol. This may help you fall asleep faster but impairs the amount of REM sleep and might result in waking up at odd times.

5. Try drinking earlier in the day than at night

• Here’s the caveat, any alcohol consumption during any part of the day is going to affect your body. However, if you are drinking closer to your bedtime, then it is going to worsen your sleep. You might be under the false pretence of good quality sleep with alcohol, but research suggests the absolute opposite. 

Remember to drink responsibly during the holidays and throughout the year using these few easy-to-follow tips. Stay hydrated, pace yourself and never drink and drive. 

Wishing you a safe holiday season. 

From, 

Team Ultra.