Good Lifestyle

One of the number one objectives during the coronavirus quarantine remains lateral as possible. Yes, we focus mainly on not contract Covid-19, but as the disease is caused by a virus, and there are no known remedies for viruses, our better bet is to take a holistic approach. It means trying to maximize the factors thatIncrease our immune systems, like sleeping, exercise andbalanced dietand minimize exposure to things that could bring the defenses of our bodies. Such a thing is alcohol.

The vast majority of us consume alcohol occasionally and some even regularly. If you are not stranger to unroll with a glass of wine or a beer after a long day, you will be able to access this mood-boosting habit, even now, when you work at home and rarely leaves your home. In fact, alcohol consumption is there with favorite quarantine activities of people, and#quarantini has become a trend hashtag.

We wanted to know if our beverage habits can predispose you to coronavirus contraction. Is alcohol a very bad idea right now? And how much does it cost?

Can drink alcohol at the moment predisposed to coronavirus contraction?

It has been well documented through the research that alcohol consumption has the ability to reduce your immune defenses, so we have asked the experts if the drinking consumption can compromise your immune system to the point of making you more likely to contract the coronavirus.

"Unfortunately, the answer is yes. When consumed in excess, alcohol can damage immune cells in the lungs, the upper respiratory system and the intestine. This poses a higher risk of possibility to develop in turn. Diseases such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, which makes you more likely to Covid-19, "says Dr. Niker Sonpal, internist and gastroenterologist in New York.

Giuseppe Aragona, MD, a medical advisor toPrescription doctor, agreed that enjoying an alcoholic beverage during the pandemic should be done with caution. Especially because we are less likely to follow our regular daily schedules during the quarantine, and are therefore more likely to "embark to drink odd times, more than usual or drink every day." He says it could develop in a health problem, "be the hippover every day or have dehydration headaches will occupy the immune system, letting you more vulnerable to other diseases, including coronaviruses."

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But how does alcohol compromise exactly your immune response? "There are some mechanisms in which alcohol can inhibit the immune system," says Dr. Aragona. "The most important problem is that it can relax the intestinal barrier, which then makes it possible to pass more bacteria to pass into the blood, causing a depletion of the immune cells, including macrophages. Less macrophages in the blood Cause the answer Immune less pronounced, "he says.

Authorized Nutritionist Amanda Kostro Miller, Rd, LDN, said that "alcohol was shown atdecrease the body's ability to fight infection. It also emphasizes that there are several indirect ways in which alcohol can mitigate the immune system - disturbing your sleep habits and causing a slight depression as a side effect.

Does this mean that I should not enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail at all?

Most of our experts agree that moderate alcohol consumption during quarantine will have no harmful effects on your health. "Do not be afraid to have a glass of wine or a cocktail because all Irai," said Dr. Sonpal.

And why is it exactly a moment when it seems that more and more people are, in fact, turn to a wine or cocktail every night?

"It's really easy to turn to alcohol during periods of uncertainty, because our brain really does not like that," says Dr. Judr Brewer, MD, Ph.D. Neuroscientific, Psychiatrist of Addiction and Director research and innovation at theBrown University full conscious centerand Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences in the Brown University School of Public Health. "Our planning brain needs accurate information and we will felt this itching of anxiety that we need to scratch, we urge to do something to get this information. Yet when the information is not available, we Let's turn to the drink so it's itching disappear., or at least to temporarily numb ourselves. "

However, it is important toLimit your alcohol consumption no more than one drink a day for women and two for men, according toCDC guidelinesFor moderate consumption.This is especially true if you tend (or currently gravitate) to drink every day. Dr. Sonpal warns against consumption more than the recommended CDC amounts, "If you have many more than two alcoholic beverages a day, you do not worry. Not only is it harmful to your body in many ways, but it also affects your mental health ".

Kostro Miller recommends being aware of the size of the portions by counting your drinks allowances a day. "A portion of wine is 5 ounces, so that nutrition information is based on this amount. However, many people consume much more than 5 ounces in a glass, whether at home or in a restaurant. »

The same goes for beer and spirits. A standard portion of the beer is 12 ounces, so a pint of beer counts more than one serving (and therefore more than one glass). A portion of spirits is 1.5 ounces, so be aware of your pouring during cocktails at home.

Can you do to stay healthy while taking advantage of an occasional drink?

You can stick red wine, for one. Our experts agree that if they had to recommend an alcoholic drink, it would be red wine, because of its well-documented health benefits. "The red wine is high resveratrol, a compound some plants produce to combat bacteria and fungi and to protect against UV radiation," explains Dr. Sonpal.

Stay away fromBeverages rich in sugar, As some cocktails, can also be a wise decision during the quarantine. "In general, we believe that sugar can reduce the performance of your immune system. There is preliminary evidence that blood sugar levels can be correlated with the severity of CIVID-19 infection. Limiting sugar intake in the right plank now would be a wise choice and it's true about mixed drinks as well, "says Dr. Nate Favini, the medical officer ofCheeky, The practice of preventive primary care.

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