No matter what role alcohol plays in your life, the decision to cut back or exclude it entirely isn’t always an easy one. The negative effects that consuming alcohol has on the body are numerous. From mood and behavior changes, cardiovascular problems, an increase in risk for some cancers, pancreatic and liver diseases, and so many more, cutting back on, or excluding alcohol from your diet completely can help your body stay healthier, longer. If fancy mixed drinks around the holidays, or socializing with friends at the bar may be an important part of your social experiences, finding alcohol-free alternatives can be a really important substitution for some. 

Finding delicious, satisfying alcohol-free alternatives that satiate someone’s desire for an alcoholic beverage can be a bit of a challenge.  In today’s blog we’ll discuss a few of the ways alcohol can negatively impact our overall health and wellbeing, and some yummy drinks and alternatives that can help fill the void.

Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism – Body and Mind

The pandemic has unfortunately contributed to a rise in alcohol consumption, and in many cases, an unhealthy rise in binge drinking. Due to the added stresses and anxiety that changes in routines and in some cases, mental health crises brought on by the pandemic, medical professionals have seen an abrupt rise in alcohol consumption. For some, this means a simple increase from a few glasses of wine a week, to more than one in a day. Having a few drinks may seem like a great way to unwind at the end of a workweek, but when it becomes daily, or repeatedly in excess, this can point to a few very concerning health issues down the road.

The long term effects of excessive alcohol consumption can include irreversible damage to a variety of our bodies systems. Some of these very serious health concerns can be halted or reversed, but liver damage, cardiovascular health concerns, and even our brain’s ability to function are all very serious side effects to consider when gauging how many alcoholic beverages we’re drinking each day.

Fine tea as an alcohol alternative can be a delicious substitution. Crafting the perfect cup for sipping can bring a ton of long lasting flavor while you catch up with friends.

It’s not an unfathomable coping mechanism – with so much of our daily lives having to make abrupt changes to manage through the pandemic, finding outlets for our stress and anxiety can seem almost impossible. With gyms closed and public avenues for entertainment and even dining, supporting our mental health sometimes means unwinding with good food and drinks at the end of a long day. 

For so many however, alcohol simply isn’t, or shouldn’t be a viable solution to help us cope with our mental health challenges. In some cases, addiction or alcoholism are a very real and challenging hurdle to overcome. 

Alcohol-Free Alternatives 

Finding ways to cope with the added stress everyday life can bring, and even finding alcohol-free alternatives that have healthy impacts on our lives can be just as fun, and even more rewarding then reaching for a cold beer! Check out some of the great non-alcoholic beverages to help keep your body and mind thriving as we continue to navigate the pandemic. 

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Alternatives:

• Alcohol-Free beers – If the taste of a great beer is what you’re really craving, there are several brands on the market that can scratch that itch! Your options aren’t limited to O’Douls isn’t your only option anymore, and the craft beer taste you’ve been looking for can, infact, come without the alcohol content. 
• Alcohol-Free spirits – Just like beer, the world of alcohol-free spirits is a whole new ballgame! From gin to whiskey, and everything in between, brilliant creators and beverage mixers are starting to offer delicious alternatives to hard liquor. Some are even bottling fully mixed options, that mimic and taste just as great as your favorite cosmo or fancy evening cocktail. Some of these alternatives taste just like the real thing, which means you can mix them with your favorite ingredients to make something just as delicious.
• Wines and spritzers – Around the globe, conversations about the need for seltzers, wines, mixed beverages and even straight spirits that have 0 alcohol content are popping up. If you don’t need or want to get tipsy while enjoying a crafted beverage, distilleries and bottlers totally hear you! 

Distilleries and breweries have really jumped into the game when it comes to crafting delicious non-alcoholic options. You can find spirits, wine and beer that taste just as great as their alcoholic counterparts, and add the perfect flavor to crafted cocktails.

• Check out teas, sparkling waters, and other niche beverages – Some people enjoy a finely brewed cup of coffee with the perfect additives over an alcoholic beverage anyday, and we love that idea! There’s nothing like a delicious cup of perfectly roasted brew with infused creams or sprinkled with cinnamon or cardamom. The same can be said for teas – find the perfect combo and let your taste buds do the rest!

Cutting back, or even substituting alcohol-free alternatives to your social engagements or outings can not only help improve your mental health, but your long term health will thank you! Of course, drinking in moderation isn’t a terrible thing, but we want you to feel your very best, always! In conjunction with great nutrition and proactive mental and physical health care, you’ll be able to enjoy your mixed drinks (alcoholic or not!) for years to come! To talk to someone about your overall health and wellness, Integrated Wellness Clinic of Philly is always here to help. Give us a call at (610) 265-0500 for a free consultation. We want to help you on your journey to better health and wellness.