Rock The Walk 2020 | Immunity Boosting Week 4: Alcohol & Your Immune System

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Alcohol consumption should be done in moderation and limited to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. When alcohol is consumed at a higher rate, it can cause a variety of short and long-term health risks.

One drink is considered:

12 ounces of beer (5% ABV) | 5 ounces of wine

8 ounces of beer (7%ABV) | 1.5 ounces of liquor

IMMUNE SYSTEM “RISKS” WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

When a person consumes alcohol, the immune system’s response can be slowed, which means more time will be needed to clear out germs & viruses from our body. When the body is unable to clear germs/viruses, the illness or infection can worsen and the recovery can be delayed.

• Alcohol can kill normal good gut bacteria, which helps our bodies fight off infection
• Alcohol can negatively affect other aspects of your life, such as sleep hygiene, which is vital for keeping your immune system in tip-top shape

HOW ALCOHOL CAN HURT IMMUNITY

Consuming alcohol can have many risks that can be detrimental to your health. When it comes to your immune system and fighting off viruses and infections, alcohol can trigger a negative response in the body.

• Alcohol has an adverse affect on cells in the immune system, which can lead to illness and infection, and can slow the healing process down
• Alcohol hurts other bodily functions, such as sleep, which is vital to the immune response