Drink smarter

Whether you are a one tipple girl or a shot after shot lady, are there any tips and tricks that we consider when it comes to drinking? We turned to our in-house nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr, to check in on her thoughts on how to imbibe the healthy way.

Food First – eating food before or with your drink will help slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, therefore reducing or slowing down the effects of the alcohol. Aim to have a meal or snack that contains protein and fat with some carbohydrates (not too many though as there are usually plenty in the drinks). Nuts, olives, yogurt, and anything with avocado are all good options. Margaritas with a side of guac any one?

Include a ‘spacer’ between drinks  – a ‘spacer’ is a non-alcoholic beverage that you consume between drinks that do contain alcohol. Ideally this would be water, to help with the dehydrating effects of alcohol. The idea is that you stay hydrated and you slow yourself down so that you don’t become intoxicated and thus have to deal with the consequences of such. Nobody likes a hangover. 

Add a spritz – although it might not come up high on your list of favourites, there is a reason that vodka soda and lime is a frequent choice. Adding soda water over fizzy drinks/juices reduces the added sugars when drinking and can help keep you hydrated. If you can’t wrap your head around the lack of flavour, order your cocktail of choice, ask for no added sugar syrups, and top it up with fizzy water to keep it lasting longer.

Consider pairing your cocktail with a CBD mixer – the interactions between alcohol and CBD have not yet been thoroughly researched, however, since alcohol and CBD may both contribute to feelings of relaxation, these effects could be cumulative and therefore give you a stronger and longer-lasting calming effect.  But don’t forget, this is entirely dose dependent and as we know, the more alcohol you drink, the stronger effects, and the same goes with CBD dosing. 

What is interesting is that multiple studies have shown that CBD may have the potential to protect against alcohol generated oxidative stress in the liver and neurodegeneration associated with alcohol.

MEDA’s range of functional drinks are infused with 15mg of liposomal CBD, and when mixed into a cocktail or with a spirit of choice, can offer drinkers a delicious dose of relaxation.

* The team at MEDA and Clarissa Lenherr Nutrition are not doctors and we do not provide medical advice. The information and content of this article is provided only for informational purposes. It is not meant in any way as a substitute for the professional advice provided by your physician or any other healthcare professional.