If you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), then you may have been advised to stick to a diet plan and preferably stay away from alcohol. If you have a regular habit of drinking, then it is quite necessary to progressively limit your alcohol consumption. But there are ways to manage your habit without completely derailing your weight loss plan. However, this should not encourage you to rewind to your prior habits and become a regular drinker.Â
Often it becomes distressing to hear a complete change in lifestyle and diet plan that needs to be made on your doctor’s advice. Progressively, you’ll be asked to limit or completely avoid alcohol consumption by your doctor. That surely indicates that you’ll have to be careful when out for parties as consumption of alcohol can adversely affect your condition.Â
How alcohol consumption can affect you?
An individual with PCOS must be aware of the following factors related to alcohol consumption:
Potential of increasing blood sugar levels
PCOS is closely linked to insulin resistance, which alters the hormonal balance resulting in worsening your PCOS symptoms. And some alcoholic beverages have the potential to increase insulin levels.Â
Hormonal Imbalance
Studies show that alcohol consumption interferes with hormone action, leading to its imbalance and increasing the risk of your PCOS symptoms.
Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Abnormal hormonal patterns increase cardiovascular diseases affecting vascular smooth muscle cells. Consuming alcohol regularly, or even occasionally can be risky for women suffering from PCOS.
Increases the Risk of Liver Diseases
Alcohol and liver diseases are well linked to each other. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of liver diseases if they drink heavily or even moderately due to insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism (increased level of male hormone).
Tips for alcohol consumption when you have PCOS
Don’t consume alcohol on an empty stomach
When your stomach is empty, never take a shot packed with ignorance. Preferably eat something with an appropriate amount like protein or fat, as it will act as a buffer for the alcohol. These nutrients are digested slowly and will prevent rapid absorption of alcohol. Â
Limit and try to avoid alcohol consumption
Set your limits and strictly follow them. Beverages with a substantial amount of alcohol also have the lowest nutritional value, or none at all. Therefore, it’s better to avoid consumption.
Abstain from cocktails or blended drinks.
While these look pleasurable, these drinks contain a high amount of calories and sugar. Instead of risking your health, make a better choice.
Ask for just a splash of juice and save on your calories in abundance. These tiny steps taken regularly can have a long-lasting impact on your health. Avoid things that are unnecessarily dangerous to your health.
PCOS Medications and Alcohol Consumption
If you have PCOS, there are chances you might be on medications. Alcohol doesn’t mix well with some salts at all. So, you need to be very careful with it. People with PCOS are often insulin resistant. People have reportedly suffered from type 2 diabetes. If you are a binge drinker who frequently consumes alcoholic drinks, there are high chances that it will disrupt the sugar balance of your body.
Some medications used to treat PCOS have reported to cause a condition called lactic acidosis in which the amount of lactic acid in your bloodstream increases and you can’t get rid of lactic acid if you are on a heavy amount of alcohol intake. Though it is not very common, it can be serious. Lactic acid buildup and alcohol cause pressure on kidneys, lungs and blood vessels, which may lead to a severe setback.
There have been studies where PCOS is also linked with depression and anxiety, however, this concept is not well researched and understood. If you have PCOS, then moderating or avoiding drinking completely would be a better option.
Include healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet plan. Regular exercise, meditation, serving of whole-wheat, raw veggies and yoga can help you reduce the risks associated with PCOS and will significantly improve your health. Regular exercise is a great way to improve your health.
This text is provided for information purposes only and is not aimed to be an alternative for professional medical advice. Always take the advice of a health specialist if you have any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.
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Informative.