Imagine no more hangovers?
Posted by Jo on Oct 20, 2011
I met a friend for dinner last tonight. A casual Wednesday affair. Once seated and presented with the menus we deliberated over whether or not to get a glass of wine. Maybe a bottle? But then look at the price. Shall we abstain? Yes lets. And so we did.
Although the nation is supposedly experiencing a binge drinking epidemic, numbers suggest that we have actually been drinking less every year since 2002. Apparently our livers can thank the recession. Drinking has become a luxury (especially if you are considering the cost of City bars) and some may even say that the public health messages are actually hitting home.
My hangovers are getting worse (perhaps it’s a sign I’m getting old *shudder*). And my skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to either. Imagine no more hangovers; no more memory loss, no more nailbiting doomlike worries about what you may have said or done the night before. Money in your pocket and a calorie deficit to enjoy a portion of pudding guilt free. It’s certainly something to think about….
The body – particularly the liver, has an amazing ability to recuperate (if it is given a break) so time off the booze, even a few days, can really help. By not drinking, you are less likely to partake in other unhealthy activities such as smoking or eating kebabs, plus you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep. But the most noticeable effects will be felt by your bank balance and waistline.
A survey of 2000 people by Drinkaware found that 2 out of 3 Britons have a ‘blind spot’ when it comes to understanding the calorie content of alcohol. Drinkaware have an online calculator that adds up the weekly calories you’re consuming through drinking and shows you how many burgers it equals! Click here for more details.
Meanwhile, here are a few drink and food equivalents that might surprise you:
- 2 glasses of champagne = 1 small slice of cake (190kcals)
- 1 gin and tonic = 1 small packet of crisps (126kcals)
- 2 standard glasses of wine = 1 small hamburger (260kcals)
- 1 pint of beer = 4 jaffa cakes (187kcals)
