As the days get longer and warmer, sitting out on the patio after a hard days work with a alcoholic drink sounds like bliss for many Aussies. Yes its ok to sit back and relax, its should be encouraged to de-stress but not with a wine, spirit or beer every day. AFDs (Alcohol Free Days) are important.

Afd’s are important also because the Liver needs time to recover. If you are drinking more than one small drink a night the liver needs two to three days to recover doctors advise. The pressure this puts on the Liver if this isn’t done can lead to long term health issues such as Liver disease. Young drinkers and women are particularly at risk of binge drinking and not having those three days a week to let their bodies restore itself from the effect of alcohol. People are not completely aware of the serious health complications drinking can lead to, Liver disease, Cardiovascular disease, and even brain damage. And even though we have been told often enough that drinking a glass or two of red wine a night is good for us it is now being advised to give the body a break in between. So instead of cracking open a beer or two perhaps try it every other night instead and in between have a sparkling mineral water with a lime wedge and although it may not be as relaxing or as enjoyable as a beer or a wine, your body will no doubt thank you for it in the long run.

Yours in health and fitness,

Chris Alexander