From cosmopolitan.com
If you've been doing Veganuary, you might want to read this...
If, like us, you've been taking part in Veganuary this past month, you might have noticed a fair few benefits, which can include clearer skin, improved mental well-being and a cheaper food shopping bill. But, while the positives of a plant-based lifestyle are well advertised, are there any downsides?
It's a question that some Veganuary participants – and vegans in general – have found themselves asking, with some even wondering if their vegan lifestyle could be impacting their tolerance to alcohol. "Since I have transitioned from pescatarian to vegan my alcohol tolerance has became VERY LOW," said one person on Twitter, with another tweeting: "I'm pretty sure being a vegan is the reason my alcohol tolerance is so low."
"There are so many perks to switching to a vegan diet," says Ben Turnbull, director and head wine buyer at House of Malt. "Not only is it great for the planet, but many people have found that plant-based living has improved their digestion and energy levels, among other health benefits."
"But there may be just one possible downside: bad hangovers," Turnbull adds, referencing a study that found a potential link between the nutrients in your diet and the severity of a hangover. "There are a number of potential reasons why a vegan diet may reduce your alcohol tolerance, from vitamin deficiencies to digestion speed."
But Rohini Bajekal, registered nutritionist at Plant Based Health Professionals, says this isn't the case. "There is zero scientific evidence to support this," Bajekal says of the notion that going vegan lowers your alcohol tolerance.
"A very small study of just 24 participants in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that social drinkers who have a higher dietary intake of nicotinic acid (known as Niacin or B3) and zinc report significantly less severe hangovers. To our knowledge, none of these participants were actually vegan or even vegetarian."
On top of that, Bajekal points out that both of these so-called 'hangover reducing' nutrients can "easily found in a plant-based diet." For example, plant-based foods rich in niacin (B3) include avocados, peanuts, whole grains and mushrooms, while zinc can be found in beans, lentils and soya.
As for what causes a hangover, the nutritionist emphasises that whether or not you find yourself hugging the toilet bowl on a Sunday morning has nothing to do with your diet, and is the result of one thing and one thing only – alcohol. "The only certain way to avoid a hangover is not to drink alcohol in the first place," she explains. "Approximately 75 percent of those who drink alcohol to intoxication will get a hangover, after all, alcohol is a toxin that the liver needs to detoxify," Bajekal adds, noting that hangovers are caused by the dehydrating, diuretic properties of alcohol.
Despite the potential for a hangover, many of us won't be put off from enjoying our favourite tipple when Friday night rolls around. In that case, Turnbull reminds us: "If you're heading out this weekend, just make sure you eat a filling meal beforehand, keep track of how much you're drinking and be sure to have a glass of water nearby to keep you hydrated in between drinks — your head will thank you in the morning."
The good news is, those who opt for a vegan meal after their night out will reap more rewards than those who prefer a greasy fry up. "When hungover, try to avoid trans fats and ultra-processed foods, sugar-sweetened or caffeinated drinks, fruit juices and sugary foods such as cakes and biscuits," says Bajekal. "Even if they provide a momentary pick-me-up, they often make you feel worse when you have a hangover."
She continues: "As alcohol depletes some nutrients (such as B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and vitamin C), this is a great time to nourish your body with plant-based foods. Focus on beans, lentils, tofu, whole grains, fruit, vegetables and plenty of nuts and seeds such as cashew nuts, ground flax seeds and chia seeds."
BRB, off to buy some chia seeds...
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