Thursday. Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Maybe, but it might take a bit more—say, two and a half servings of fruits or vegetables per day. Research suggests this amount can reduce your risk of stroke by nearly 20% and cardiovascular disease by almost 15%. I’ll take those odds. That’s basically a banana for breakfast, an apple with lunch, and some veggies with dinner. Easy day. 

Moving on to something else that might be impacting your health, but in the opposite direction: booze, and more specifically, mommy wine culture. Let’s dive in.

Today’s Menu 🌿

• 🍷 “Wine Mom” culture is no bueno. 

• Why you should delay your first cup of coffee ☕️.

• Fat acceptance and how we got here.

• The Daily Recipe is a Thai food 🇹🇭 favorite!

• 🤢 Signs of an unhealthy gut and what to do about it.

Read Time: 4 minutes

Sorry, Wine Isn’t Helping You Sleep Better

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the prevalence of excessive drinking, particularly among middle-aged women, both with and without children (READ MORE HERE). This trend is influenced by the growing acceptance of alcohol in social settings and the media, often glorified through "wine mom" culture, which portrays drinking as a stylish way to unwind. 

Yet, the consequences of this cultural shift are concerning, particularly when it comes to sleep quality and its downstream impact on our health. 

There is plenty of research out there that highlights a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and sleep disruption. Even moderate drinking, which might seem harmless as a way to relax before bed, can significantly impair sleep architecture. 

A study involving recreational drinkers showed that consuming alcohol shortly before sleeping reduces the time spent in REM sleep, which is crucial for emotional and cognitive health. On top of that, the quality of sleep diminishes with consistent alcohol intake, underscoring that the effects of alcohol are not just immediate but cumulative. This means that even if you just drink on the weekends, it could impact your sleep during the week. 

Interestingly, the timing of alcohol consumption plays a critical role in how much it affects sleep. The body typically needs about an hour to metabolize a single drink, so drinking closer to bedtime is more likely to disrupt sleep patterns. So, day drinking is better. It’s still not good, but it might be marginally better. 

This rising trend in alcohol use among women has been documented over several years, with studies indicating that middle-aged women, particularly those without children, are at a higher risk of excessive drinking. While societal norms around women's drinking have become more accepting, this shift has not come without some obvious costs. Increased alcohol consumption has been linked to numerous health issues, including poor sleep, which in turn affects overall well-being.

The impact is more pronounced among those who engage in what's known as "booze bonding" in social settings, where the pressure to participate in drinking can lead to patterns of excessive alcohol use. This behavior is often seen among groups where alcohol is used as a tool for socialization or stress relief, a trend popularized by social media and what we see on TV. Can you really “go out and get drinks” without the whole drinking part? 

The health implications of increased alcohol consumption and disrupted sleep patterns are significant. Poor sleep affects not only physical health, such as increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases but also mental health, contributing to issues like depression and anxiety—two problems that we should desperately be trying to solve. 

The key takeaway? Given some of the recent research, it's clear that while alcohol might seem like a good solution for relaxing and social bonding, its effects can be detrimental, especially when it comes to the quality of sleep. The cultural normalization of drinking isn’t doing anyone any good, and it is time we start having a more honest conversation that can lead to some real solutions for the people it is impacting the most.

Related Articles

• Why you should delay your first cup of coffee.

• Fat acceptance and how we got here. 

• Is there a way to absorb fewer calories?

Psst… You can reply with recommendations too!

The Daily Recipe

Try to guess… This one is a Thai food favorite! And the best part? It makes for a healthy dinner option if you use this recipe.

Curious? Click below to discover the recipe and see if you guessed right.

Tonic Shots

🥜 Get Up To 17g Of Protein With This Delicious Snack!
They are tasty and packed with protein, and did I mention they are tasty? TRY PERFECT BARS.

🤢 How To Improve Gut Health?
Signs of an unhealthy gut and what to do about it.  READ MORE.

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