Cheers to being a woman!

Every now and then you want to enjoy a nice glass of wine, but usually it doesn't stop at just one glass... We know the drill!

Just as your body can become somewhat disrupted, your menstrual cycle can also be thrown off by too much alcohol.

Alcohol is broken down in the liver, but the liver also plays an important role in processing your hormones. If your liver takes too long to process alcohol, estrogen will be put on hold and your estrogen will not be able to leave the body properly.

Unfortunately, women are more sensitive to alcohol than men. Sensitivity to alcohol depends on the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which play a key role in the menstrual cycle. They are present in the body in varying amounts throughout the cycle.

During your period, for example, your female hormones are at their lowest. Your hormones are most like those of a man during this time. Does that mean you can handle alcohol better, too? Stuff to think about 🤔 Your hangovers can vary throughout your cycle.

Drinking heavily can exacerbate your symptoms (mood swings, acne, cravings, cramps, insomnia). What's considered heavy? Binge drinking is defined as more than four drinks within two hours.

When you drink too much alcohol, you lose magnesium. This lowers your blood sugar, making you crave unhealthy sugary snacks. Studies have shown that magnesium and zinc may help with alcohol metabolism, so remember to get enough magnesium and zinc through food or a supplement to ease your hangover.

As mentioned earlier, alcohol increases estrogen levels in your body. This can cause you to experience emotions that are difficult to explain. Consider consuming healthy fats (omega-3) to balance your hormones and control mood swings.

If your symptoms get worse after a night of drinking, here are a few tips before you start the evening:

🥂 Choose alcohol with a low glycemic index, such as champagne, red or white wine.

🥂 Never drink on an empty stomach. Provide a (not too greasy) appetizer. Avoid fried snacks as they accelerate glucose absorption in your liver, which you'd prefer not to do. Opt for guacamole, green olives, cashews, hummus with raw vegetables, or toast with salmon or shrimp.

🥂 Drink water between each glass of alcohol. If water is too boring, today we have plenty of options for making fun non-alcoholic cocktails with Gimber, Nona June, and Seedlip.

🥂 If you drink a glass of alcohol, don't feel guilty and enjoy!

Did you drink too much? Here are a few tips to ease your hangover:

😻 Drink lots: And I don't mean alcohol or coffee, of course. The caffeine in coffee will dehydrate you even more. Try to drink lots of water!

😻 Sleep in and have some sex: This is a fun one, right?! Your body recovers faster during sleep, and when you have sex, your body produces the hormone oxytocin, which reduces pain and makes you feel good. Masturbation counts too!

😻 Eat something: Try to start the day with a healthy breakfast, even if you only feel like croissants with chocolate. Whole-wheat bread and fruit are healthy and safe options, but an egg and avocado are, of course, the ultimate hangover cure and are a source of protein, B vitamins, and healthy fats. Drink ginger or green tea with it to detox your body.

😻 Exercise + fresh air: moving helps your body break down alcohol more easily. And fresh air is always good for you.