Ever find yourself with your skin, hair, or face out of whack after a night of heavy drinking – then listen up! This is because alcohol has been known to affect your looks and health beyond the hangover you feel the next day.
Bloating
Alcohol depletes your body of water, and because the kidneys have to kick into overdrive, on comes the puffiness. This happens when the tissues swell after all the water has been stored. The first place you see this is usually on your face, but you may experience this all over the body as well. Drinking water between each cocktail can help keep bloating at bay.
Skin issues are worsened
Alcohol robs the body of essential vitamins, electrolytes and fluids. Vitamin A, which plays a big role in cell renewal and turnover depletes rapidly with alcohol use and may turn the skin a grayish dull color. It can also exasperate skin conditions like Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Eczema.
Acceleration of aging process
Vitamin A aids in collagen production. Since alcohol reduces the amount of Vitamin A in your body, your face will be the first to show signs of this. Younger skin will age faster with increased use.
Obesity
Drinking alcohol can pack on extra pounds. Some of your favorite cocktails are calorie loaded, and you may not even know it. Pina Coladas, Long Island Iced Teas, and even Sangria, are full of empty calories. If you’ve been eating well and trying to cut down on weight but not seeing the results you want, you may want to consider limiting the amount of alcohol you drink or switching to a lower calorie cocktail.
Excessive consumption of alcohol destroys brain cells, damages the liver, weakens eyesight, can cause impotence in men, among a long list of other negative effects. The next time you go out to happy hour or a night on the town, remember to drink in moderation, be selective with type of cocktail you choose, and drink plenty of water. You will be glad that you did!
