Experts from the American Mayo Clinic hospital have shared 4 tips to limit excess alcohol during the end-of-year holidays.
- Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to higher risks of injury and death.
- To avoid excess drinking, experts suggest setting a limit before the festivities and focusing on festive non-alcoholic cocktails.
- To stay healthy, it is recommended to limit your alcohol consumption to a maximum of two drinks per day and not to consume alcohol every day.
With the end-of-year holidays, it’s easy to drink more than you should or to slip into old habits without realizing it. Which can seriously tarnish the festivities, and not only because of the painful hangovers the next day. Excessive alcohol consumption is also linked to higher risks of injuries (accidents, falls, violence, etc.), unprotected and/or unwanted sexual relations, death as well as serious disorders such as alcoholic coma.
THE Mayo Clinic experts have shared their tips for enjoying Christmas and New Year without overindulging in alcoholic drinks.
End of year celebrations: focus on alcohol-free options
“Non-alcoholic drinks give guests options to enjoy the gathering and have fun together without drinking too much“, recalls the American hospital establishment. Taking a mocktail has another advantage. It can help prevent dehydration induced by alcohol. Indeed, the latter is very diuretic. It increases fluid loss and suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that helps the kidneys retain fluid.
And you don’t have to settle for a glass of water or fruit juice. Asked by Associated Presschef Suzanne Podhaizer recommends treating these drinks “as if they were really special”. “Consider putting a sugar rim on your glasses or drizzling edible coloring. The more festive you make non-alcoholic drinks, the better people will feel.”
Another point to be careful about is not to drink on an empty stomach. “Eating beforehand helps slow the absorption of alcohol, which can delay the effects of intoxication. Choose meals based on foods rich in carbohydrates and proteins, such as bread, pasta , meat and cheese”recommends the Mayo Clinic.
Alcohol: setting limits
Between the numerous family meals to see everyone during the holidays, Secret Santas with friends or professional end-of-year cocktails… There are many opportunities to toast during this period. Experts recommend “set a limit on the number of drinks you will have before arriving at the party.”
However, you should keep in mind that one drink does not represent the same amount of pure alcohol depending on what you take. For example, we find 10 g of pure alcohol in:
- a balloon of 12° wine of 10 cl;
- a 2.5 cl glass of 45° pastis;
- a 2.5 cl glass of 40° whisky;
- a 10 cl glass of 12° champagne;
- a 7 cl 18° aperitif glass;
- half a 25 cl 5° beer.
For the record, it is recommended to limit your consumption to two drinks per day maximum and not to consume alcohol every day. It is also recommended to have two alcohol-free days during the week, i.e. a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week.
Furthermore, alcohol reduces cognitive abilities, reactivity and decision-making, elements which greatly increase the risk of a driving accident. It is therefore preferable to organize your end of the evening in advance to avoid finding yourself on the road after having consumed more alcohol than the legal limit authorized (0.5 g of alcohol per liter of blood or 0. 25 mg of alcohol per liter of exhaled air). Among the solutions available, we can cite: a designated sober driver, a taxi, public transport or even sleeping on site.
