Wonder why end of week drinks end in tears?
After a hectic week at work, Friday night drinks can, for many of us, be the light at the end of a dark tunnel. But in terms of what's good for your body and mind, this highly anticipated event is a disaster waiting to happen — as anyone who has finished the night in a flood of tears or scuffle will attest.
Ever wonder why your end-of-week tipples are more likely to end in tears? Well, it's because your body is pumped full of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which in turn cause the blood vessels to expand in order to get the blood to your muscles faster. So imagine what happens when you drink your first wine or beer. The alcohol is transported around the body much more quickly, and your favourite drink suddenly becomes potent.
Sorry ladies, scientific research show females are far less able to handle alcohol than men because we have smaller livers. This means that alcohol is metabolised more slowly and stays in the system longer. Women also have higher levels of body fat, so more alcohol ends up being absorbed and released later — yes, that's right, we keep getting drunker. We all know what happens next…
But of course, the idea of forgoing Friday-night drinks altogether is incomprehensible, particular during this party season. So take precautions. First, make sure you eat a decent amount before your first drink. This will effectively keep your drink in the stomach longer and slow down absorption so physical and emotional reactions are less influenced.
Opt for fibre-rich foods such as jacket potatoes and bread or rice in wholemeal varieties. Make your first drink last. Sip it slowly and order a soft drink or water at the same time. Avoid "rounds" as this has the tendency for people to drink at the same pace — not ideal if the others in the group are six-foot tall males. And finally, you don't have to be drunk to have fun. If you start feeling tipsy, swap for a non-alcoholic drink.
Remember tears and a hangover are not part of the Christmas spirit.
Your say: Do you find yourself more emotional after drinking on a Friday?
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