Many of us try to keep our drinking in check, whether it’s making sure we’re having a few booze-free days each week or opting for a few mocktails in between those Aperol Spritzes on a night out.
But at what point do you start to wonder if your casual drinking isn't all that casual after all?
We're often left regretting our decisions after a particularly heavy night, although sometimes that's just the headache talking, rather than genuine concern.
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However, according to alcohol reduction and quitting app Reframe, there are actually ways our body tells us that our relationship with booze isn't all that healthy.
A recent Instagram post says: "Our bodies are always trying to communicate with us, but sometimes we fail to listen.
"This is often the case when it comes to our alcohol consumption. We may be reluctant to acknowledge that our discomfort could be linked to our drinking habits."
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So what are the subtle signs that our own bodies are giving us?
Changing skin
First up, is one many of us will know all too well. Reframe tells us how alcohol can leave your skin dehydrated and inflamed, leading to a 'dull appearance and reduced elasticity'.
Puffy or swollen eyes, intensified wrinkles and dark circles are all similar effects of alcohol on your skin, while drinking can also 'exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis'.
Heartburn
Heartburn, or acid reflux, is what happens when stomach acid travels back up your oesophagus towards your throat, in turn creating an unpleasant burning sensation.
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“Alcohol increases stomach acid, which can bring on heartburn,” Reframe says.
“Even small amounts of alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and produce bloating, burping, hiccuping, and pain in the upper stomach.”
Low energy
It’s no secret that, after a night on the sauce, you can often feel ‘sluggish, irritable, and unable to focus well’.
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That’s because, while people may often fall asleep faster after drinking alcohol, their sleep is usually ‘fragmented’, and they also tend to wake up earlier.
This, according to Reframe, contributes to fatigue, as well as reduced productivity.
Weight gain
“Excessive drinking can tip the scales because alcohol prevents your body from efficiently burning carbs and fats,” Reframe explains.
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Some alcoholic drinks are also packed with calories, while a night of boozing can sometimes leave you with the ‘late-night munchies’ as alcohol can stimulate your appetite, and we all know what that means: yep, cheesy chips and gravy... and lots of it!
Tingling or numbness
People who have been heavy drinkers for years can sometimes experience alcoholic neuropathy, which ‘results in tingling and numbness in their feet, legs, or hands’.
Reframe says this can affect both movement and sensation, with symptoms ranging from ‘slight discomfort’ to ‘major disability’.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Topics: Alcohol, Health, Food and Drink
Jess Hardiman