Liquor And Keto: How Long To Recover?

Alcohol can be consumed while on the keto diet, but it will impact the process. While drinking alcohol won't stop ketosis, it will slow it down. The liver treats ethanol as a toxin and will prioritise processing it over fat, which is what the body uses for energy when in ketosis. This means that the body won't produce ketones from fat until all the alcohol has been processed.

Alcohol slows down ketosis

The liver converts stored fat into ketones, which are usable forms of energy for the body. When you drink alcohol, your liver focuses on metabolizing it instead of fat. Until all the alcohol has been processed, your body won't produce ketones from fat. This slows down the fat-burning process and potentially your weight loss goals.

Alcohol is broken down by several enzymes into acetate, which the body uses for energy. When alcohol is consumed during ketosis, your body will convert to using acetate as an energy source rather than fat.

Additionally, alcohol lowers your inhibitions and increases cravings, often leading to choosing less healthy, non-keto foods and eating more of them.

However, it's important to note that alcohol does not stop ketosis completely, and low-carb alcoholic drinks such as pure spirits and dry wines can be consumed in moderation.

Alcohol is a toxin

Firstly, alcohol is processed by the liver, which treats it as a toxin and works to get rid of it as quickly as possible. This means that the liver prioritises processing alcohol over other functions, such as converting fatty acids to ketones, which is crucial for the keto diet. As a result, alcohol consumption can slow down the rate of ketosis.

Secondly, alcohol is a poison that can have toxic effects on multiple organs and tissues in the body. It is highly diffusible through cell membranes and is metabolised by most tissues, so its toxicity affects most organs. The liver, as the primary site of alcohol metabolism, is particularly vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcohol also impacts the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, the cardiovascular system, the kidney, the nervous system, and the reproductive system.

In addition to its physical health effects, alcohol can also impact mental health and social behaviour. It interferes with the brain's communication pathways, affecting mood, behaviour, and coordination. It can also lower social inhibitions, making it harder to resist non-keto temptations and leading to overeating.

Furthermore, regular alcohol consumption can contribute to glucose intolerance and obesity, which are linked to Type II diabetes. It can also increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, and breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, even one drink per day can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer by 5% to 15%.

Therefore, while it is possible to consume alcohol in moderation while on the keto diet, it is important to be mindful of its toxic effects on the body and to prioritise overall health and well-being.

Alcohol lowers inhibitions

Alcohol tilts the balance in favour of inhibitory neurotransmitters, which is why we experience lowered inhibitions when drinking. This is because alcohol acts as a depressant, increasing inhibitory neurotransmission and decreasing excitatory neurotransmission.

However, the effects of alcohol on the brain are complex and vary depending on the amount consumed, the duration of consumption, and individual factors. For instance, short-term alcohol exposure can lead to decreased attention, alterations in memory, mood changes, drowsiness, lethargy, confusion, and loss of sensation. On the other hand, long-term alcohol exposure can lead to tolerance, where individuals need to drink more to achieve the same effects.

It is important to note that while alcohol can lower inhibitions and impair judgement, not everyone will experience the same effects. Additionally, alcohol can increase the risk of engaging in violent or aggressive behaviours, risky sexual behaviours, and impaired driving. Therefore, it is crucial to drink responsibly and be aware of how alcohol can affect decision-making and behaviour.

Alcohol affects the liver

Excessive alcohol consumption over a short period can lead to acute alcohol-related hepatitis, which causes the liver to swell and become tender, and kills liver cells. This condition has a very high mortality rate. Over a longer period, excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver cancer, alcohol-associated liver disease, and cirrhosis. Alcohol-associated liver disease is the progressive decline of liver function due to inflammation and destruction of liver cells. Cirrhosis is a stage of alcohol-related liver disease where the liver has become significantly scarred, and there may be no obvious symptoms. It is generally not reversible, but stopping drinking alcohol can prevent further damage and increase life expectancy.

The liver is resilient and capable of regenerating itself, but prolonged alcohol misuse over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate, resulting in serious and permanent liver damage. Alcohol-related liver disease is common in the UK, with increasing levels of alcohol misuse driving up the number of cases.

Alcohol also affects the liver by lowering inhibitions, which can lead to overeating and choosing less healthy foods. It can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, affecting mood and energy levels.

Therefore, while moderate alcohol consumption may not be harmful for healthy individuals, excessive alcohol intake can have severe negative consequences for the liver.

Alcohol lowers alcohol tolerance

The keto diet can lower your alcohol tolerance, meaning you may become intoxicated more quickly and severely than before. This can impair your judgement and coordination and increase your risk of accidents and injuries.

When you're in ketosis, your body has less glycogen, a form of stored glucose that can help regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent alcohol from reaching your brain too quickly. In other words, glycogen helps to slow down the rate at which you get drunk.

On a keto diet, there is an absence of carbohydrates and other sources of energy, so alcohol reaches your bloodstream quicker and is processed more quickly.

Tips for Drinking on Keto

If you want to drink alcohol while following a keto diet, it's important to be mindful of how it might affect you. Here are some tips to help you drink more safely:

• Know your limits: be aware that your tolerance may have changed, and don't drink as much as you did before starting keto.
• Choose your drinks carefully: opt for low-carb or zero-carb drinks like distilled spirits, dry wine, or low-carb beer.
• Eat a keto-friendly meal before drinking: this can help slow down the absorption of alcohol and prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes.
• Drink plenty of water: alcohol is a diuretic, so drink water before, during, and after drinking to stay hydrated and prevent hangovers.
• Supplement wisely: take supplements to help replenish electrolytes and support your liver function, such as milk thistle, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Remember, it's important to always drink responsibly and be mindful of how alcohol affects you, especially when combined with a keto diet.

Frequently asked questions