Ask Dr. Will Cole: How Many Glasses of Wine Is Too Many?

Some health experts claim that the healthiest daily drink count is zero, but leading functional medicine pro, Dr. Will Cole says there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to alcohol.

Most wellness-attuned foodies live a life of moderation somewhere between sobriety and a second glass of sauvignon blanc on a Thursday night. We've partnered with Surely to talk about the potential advantages of drinking less alcohol, while still pairing good meals and friendly hangs with something satisfying, fun and elegant to drink. Surely is the maker of low-sugar and alcohol-free wines crafted by from award-winning California winemakers.

Surely Non-Alcoholic Wine | How Many Glasses of Wine Is Too Many? 

Whether you’re looking to cut back on your evening glass of wine ritual or want to go completely dry, Surely has options that are health-conscious, but still delicious (and dry!).  

Read through Dr. Will’s notes on alcohol and your gut health, then consider trying the Surely bottles that appeal to you most. Chalkboard readers can shop for 20% off with the code TCM20! Our favorite is the dry sparkling rose — just as fun to pop open as a regular bottle of bubbles! See also the Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sparkling White, all made by expert winemakers, delicious and alcohol free. 

Dr Will Cole On Wine + The Health Hazards of Too Much Alcohol

Cutting back on anything we enjoy can be challenging. Kudos to you if you love an evening glass of wine and have even read this far! To inspire and inform our journey cutting back on wine consumption, we asked Dr. Will Cole to explain the potential health hazards of over-imbibing.  
 
What he had to say about alcohol and gut health especially, may surprise you...

Dr. Will Cole, leading functional medicine expert, IFMCP, DNM, DC,
and author of Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum, and Intuitive Fasting

Just like everything else in functional medicine, there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to alcohol. Some people can handle a higher alcohol consumption while others would be better off avoiding it altogether. But for the most part, alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation. Just listen to your body and take note of how you feel.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a glass or two of alcohol with friends, but if you are health conscious, you've probably wondered what kind of impact it can have on your health. In my telehealth functional medicine clinic, I consult patients all the time on how much alcohol is too much and why it can be harmful to your health, particularly your gut. Yes, your gut, which just happens to be the foundation of your overall health. Here are a few ways that alcohol overconsumption can impact your gut health:

01. Increases inflammation levels | Studies have shown that drinking too much can actually increase levels of the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the gut, which is known to contribute to leaky gut syndrome and increased inflammation.  In fact, research has shown that people who regularly consume alcohol have higher levels of the inflammatory C-reactive protein.

02. Inhibits nutrient absorption | When your gut lining is damaged, it also inhibits your body's ability to properly absorb and utilize important nutrients from food. That is why a lot of people who have leaky gut syndrome can also be deficient in everyday nutrients.

03. Disrupts microbiome balance |  If you aren't able to properly absorb nutrients from foods or supplements, your gut isn't getting the necessary fuel to feed the good bacteria in your gut, leading to imbalances in the microbiome and conditions like SIBO and candida overgrowth that can contribute to autoimmune conditions and other gut health problems.

04. Hinders cognitive function |Chances are, if you have leaky gut syndrome you are more likely to struggle with brain fog, anxiety, or other brain health problems due to what is known as the gut-brain axis. The same proteins that govern gut permeability also control the permeability of your blood brain barrier, so if your gut lining is damaged, the blood brain barrier is also likely damaged. Studies have shown that even moderate alcohol intake can affect your memory.

A Fun + Healthy Way To Cut Back On Your Wine Consumption

If Dr. Will's concerns surrounding gut health and alcohol consumption resonate with you, consider cutting back or going dry for a season. This is where having a case of Surely on hand can be so practical!

+ Use Surely to moderate your wine intake | Lets say you're thirsting for a glass of white wine at the end of a long workday on a Friday. Open a bottle of Surely's Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy a crisp glass while winding down and making dinner. You won't experience a blood sugar crash or waylay plans for an evening workout. Want to open a wine with alcohol at dinner? Move on to that bottle of wine knowing you greatly reduced your intake earlier for a more balanced evening!

+ Use Surely to eliminate alcohol entirely | If you're considering an alcohol-free period to care for your gut health, keep a few chilled bottles of Surely in the house to keep things simple, easy and festive. Pop a bottle of Surely's non-alcoholic sparkling rose for celebratory moments or try a bottle of their non-alcoholic Cabernet for a satisfying accompaniment to a weeknight dinner at home sans alcohol! 

Whatever your goals around alcohol consumption, Surely deserves a place in every wellness-mind foodies' home. Cut back on or eliminate drinking without missing your favorite glass of wine.  

TCM Readers can try Surely for 20% off with code TCM20 at checkout! Every non-alcoholic wine offered is vegan, keto-friendly, gluten free, and low sugar. No more choosing between health and enjoyment! 

The post Ask Dr. Will Cole: How Many Glasses of Wine Is Too Many? appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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