By Gina Seligsohn
What’s It like bean sober?
So yes I know there are probably 782 blogs out there on the benefits of spring cleans, resetting the gut, detoxing, being alcohol free, switching from coffee to matcha, and how to create “the perfect” health reset. The list goes on. But let’s face it, there is no perfect answer. Your body and gut are completely different from that of your best friends, your workout buddy or that person walking by. Simply, the trillions of little gut bacteria profiles floating around your body are completely unique and special.
If we haven’t met before, I’m Gina. A Barre and HITT instructor, soon to be nutritionist and dietitian and content creator based in Bondi. I’m the founder of the Instagram online platform – @ginalianutrition – curating content around the pillars of wellbeing and wellness, allowing you to get in tune with your body.
So, with Spring approaching, you may be noticing all the different “spring clean” ideas popping up on your social media pages. One being, alcohol free March. It’s a popular time for people to take a break, and for good reasons. It’s a question we all hear in passing, may ponder about for a split second, but then return to our daily and nightly activities.
How alcohol works in your body:
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system when consumed. The minute you take that sip, it is absorbed in the blood stream and quickly travels around the body. It affects your brain first, then your kidneys, lungs, and liver. So, overtime, excessive intake can ultimately lead to high blood pressure, digestive problems, and hormonal imbalances – mood, energy and sexual function.
Okay enough of the science. What actually are the benefits of going alcohol free for March? Let’s try Bean Sober.
First things first, better sleep, energy, and mood:
Health isn’t all about what you eat or how you exercise. Good sleeping patterns play a crucial role in maintaining health, and its impact goes beyond just feeling rested or refreshed. But alcohol can really disrupt your sleep, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. When you drink, you typically miss the important rapid eye movement sleep. That “day after” feeling of fatigue, tiredness, headaches. Skipping your Sunday morning gym class (PS my Sunday classes will most definitely wake you up) or breakfast plans. We’ve all been there. Going Bean Sober can avoid any of those “struggling to fall asleep” or “I had the worst sleep” nights, leading to more energy and improved mood throughout the day. There’s no better way then waking up on a Sunday, or any day for that matter, feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the day. You won’t realise how much more productive and energetic you will feel until you try it.
Yes, it affects hydration of your skin:
Hydration is crucial. When you drink alcohol, your body loses around 4 times as much liquid as what you actually drank. So, that one Gin and Tonic will cause you to lose about 1L of liquid. So now your organs need more water, so they take it from the brain. But then this causes skin irritations, headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration and nausea. Feeling better hydrated leads to a whole host of benefits. Your headaches and dry mouth will decrease, your digestive system will function properly, your skin will feel more radiant, you can go for those plank challenges… there’s too many positives to not try Bean Sober!
And of course, coming from a health junkie, let’s not forget about how alcohol affects what we eat:
Noticed that major hunger pang after you drink? You’re not alone and it’s not your fault! Drinking causes your ghrelin levels (the hormone that makes you feel hungry) go up and leptin (hormone that tells you your full) go down. With this, alcohol slows your metabolism, making it harder for your body to process fats and sugar. That indigestion or acid reflux you may feel is caused by alcohol irritating your digestive system. So Bean Sober will help you maintain your weight, avoid those empty calories, and skip the late-night, fast-food binges that have you feeling like its right at your throat the next morning. It’s an easy way to reduce your caloric intake – if you reduce your six glasses of wine a week, you’ll have reduced your caloric intake by 3840 for the month. Rather gain those calories from nourishing and delicious foods that make you feel energised, radiant, satisfied, and focused.
So, that’s it from me.
Take it day by day and join me on the 30 Day Spring Clean. Let’s use March as a time to improve your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. I’d love you to reach out and hear how you go and the differences you feel in mind & body!
With love and see you soon,
Gina x
Ps. For great tasting alternatives check out Plus & Minus wine, Yes You Can, Clean Co and Heineken Zero!