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The liver and alcohol
What happens to my body when I drink alcohol? Alcohol is absorbed into the body through the stomach and small intestine. It is then quickly distributed via the bloodstream throughout the body, reaching the heart, brain, muscles and other tissues. The body cannot store alcohol so it gets rid of it via the liver. The liver changes alcohol into the highly toxic substance acetaldehyde, which is then turned into the harmless acetate and excreted through urine, breath and sweat.
How much alcohol is too much? The Government’s recommended daily unit guidelines are up to 2-3 units for a woman and up to 3-4 units for a man.
What is a unit? One unit is equivalent to 8g of alcohol. That is about what you get in half a pint of beer (4%), or in a single measure (25ml) of spirits (40%). A whole pint of 5% beer or cider contains three units. Two small glasses of wine are another three units.
Top tips to care for the liver
- Try to cut out alcohol, or if you do drink alcohol, keep within the Government’s recommended daily unit guidelines.
- Try to limit your exposure to pesticides and chemicals and have a healthy diet by eating fresh, organic produce that is washed well.
- Help remove chemical spray residues on fruits and vegetables by soaking them in water with added apple cider vinegar and rinse thoroughly. This may also help kill bacteria on the skins (2 tablespoons per pint) and rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, peel foods if you think they may have been exposed to pesticides or chemicals.
- Also try and limit the use of strong toxins in your environment i.e. chemicals that may come into contact and be absorbed by the skin or inhaled.
- Avoid processed meals, as most often you cannot guarantee where the content has come from and what quality it may be. Quick processed foods can be laden with preservatives, colourings and flavourings that can overwork the liver.
- Fried and refined foods can lack nutrients and may be improperly absorbed further weakening the liver.
- Eliminate or cut down on fizzy drinks, as they can interfere with digestion. Many are loaded with phosphates that can deplete the body of minerals, drink fresh water and juices instead.
Foods that are good for the liver.
Garlic -This healthy bulb contains sulphur, which may help support the liver cleanse certain toxins, Other sulphur-containing foods include onions and egg yolks.
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