I was reading the French consumer magazine “Bon à Savoir” (Good [things] to know) the other day which I receive regularly. It had an article about various ideas about drinking alcohol when eating.
For example, did you know that if you have an alcoholic drink while eating, the alcohol is burned off first, meaning that any fats consumed take longer to digest – several hours more in fact?
Also there’s the fact that an alcoholic drink does not hydrate the body. In fact it increases the chances of dehydration since less of a hormone which concentrates the urine is produced and the body eliminates more water.
The good news is that a little alcohol seems to be ok but not necessarily for children, because of their lower body weight and the fact their liver has fewer enzymes to elimate it. The amount of red wine suggested is 2dl for a man and 1dl for a woman per day. It increases the level of good cholesterol in the blood and the antioxidants it contains may help prevent hardening of the arteries. However, a balanced diet, regular exercise and being a non-smoker also keep your heart in good shape.
My conclusion from the article was that a little red wine occasionally is fine as long as you have it with your main meal at lunchtime. Having a couple of glasses of wine, beer, or a strong digestive alcohol with your evening meal will help you store a nice layer of fat in the hip and stomach area. Maybe an increased intake of good oils would be a better idea for weight gain – but’s that another post 
Do you like a drink while eating? Share your thoughts and experiences below.
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