Christmas is a time for indulgence, but one aspect that often is regretted later is the high alcohol consumption. With around 61% of the UK over-indulging in alcohol in the festive season, you might want to be mindful this Christmas.
Over-indulging in alcohol can cause digestive complaints such as brain fog, impact your mental health, and impair your central nervous system and your physical health.
While opting for small quantities of alcohol is fine, you might want to be conscious about your consumption and try swapping it for herbal Christmas teas. They’re healthy, friendly and supportive for your body- learn all about them here.
What is the recommended amount of alcohol to drink?
You don’t have to cut off alcohol completely this Christmas, but it’s important to stay within your limits. As per NHS guidelines, men and women should not drink more than 14 units a week, equivalent to 6 pints of “average strength” beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.
If you reduce your alcohol intake, there’s a range of short-term and long term benefits associated with it (NHS), such as:
Short term benefits
- Feel better in the mornings
- Being less tired and more energetic
- Clearer looking skin
- Money saved
Long-term benefits
- >
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered cholesterol levels
- Low risk of stroke, hypertension, cancer and liver disease
- Lowered cholesterol levels
- Support with weight management
- Better mood, memory and quality of sleep
5 herbal Christmas teas to try instead of alcohol
As we mentioned above, one of the best ways to cut back on alcohol and reap the health benefits is by swapping it with a Christmas tea. Here are 5 of our favourite Christmas herbal teas to try out this season
Pine Needle & Rosehip
First up is a high-vitamin C flagship tea, Pine Needle & Rosehip. Rosehips are those soft, prickly thorns found under the petals of a rose. While they’re prickly, they have many health benefits, one of which is supporting heart health, which counteracts the risk alcohol can cause.
A 6 week study was conducted of 31 people who drank 40 grams of rosehip powder showing significant reductions in blood pressure, total cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Moreover, unlike alcohol, which can age you biologically, rosehip is high in polyunsaturated fats, protecting your skin from free radicals caused by UV rays, smoke and pollution, which may slow down the ageing process. Pine Needles are also high in antioxidants, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins to help reduce oxidative stress and protect your body from diseases.
NutraBoost
Next is NutraBoost, a premium blend that can help support alertness and reduce fatigue during this busy season. This herbal blend’s main ingredients are green tea, ginseng liquorice, gotu kola, guarana, astragalus, ashwagandha, rhodiola, and mace. A 2017 study showed that green tea can help increase cognition, mood, and brain function, a positive effect compared to the side effects of brain fog and cloudiness from alcohol. NutraBoost also has ginseng as one of its main ingredients, which has also been shown to improve cognition and mood. In addition to alertness, NutraBoost helps increase energy levels, potentially allowing you to tackle the Christmas party season with confidence.
Turmeric & Cinnamon
Turmeric & Cinnamon is a flagship tea that’s worth drinking before, at, and after parties this festival season. Caffeine-free and only two powerful herbs Turmeric & Cinnamon can work wonders for your immune system this winter.
Turmeric has an anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin, which can help fight inflammation, reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, and help neutralise free radicals. Cinnamon not only provides a festive spicy and sweet taste, but research has shown it can help regulate metabolism and boost energy, which is important to help you thrive amongst the heavy food eaten across Christmas!
NutraDefence
Coming into contact with family members, friends, and coworkers at parties and gatherings may increase your risk of contracting germs. One way to look after your health is by trying our premium blend, NutraDefence. With the herbs in NutraDefence, you can stay smart and protect yourself from viruses, colds, and anything else lingering around in the air.
One of the main herbs in NutraDefence is eucalyptus, which is widely used worldwide as a natural remedy for cold-relieving mucus. Research shows it may help alleviate nasal congestion and decrease mucus build-up and inflammation, allowing you to breathe more easily this Christmas. Another key herb in this tea is ginger, which has a compound called gingerol. Gingerol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping your body fight colds and the flu.
Lemongrass & Ginger
If you’re looking for something flavourful and packed with punch, Lemongrass and ginger can be a great Christmas tea to have in place of alcohol. It falls within the category of herbal Christmas teas linked to many health benefits, too. This zesty tea can be drunk at any time of the day or night (it’s caffeine-free) and is great for winter.
Lemongrass also has antimicrobial properties, which may lower your risk of chronic diseases and may also help with digestion! Gingerol, in turn, can act as an extra line of defence against colds and the flu, an essential for winter!
Herbal Christmas teas – wrapping up
To summarise, you don’t have to give up alcohol completely this Christmas! But you should be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Whenever possible, try not to exceed the recommended 14 units a week by the NHS!
Simply drinking alcohol in moderation and swapping it for herbal Christmas teas at parties can be a great alternative. They’re natural, low in caffeine and have a lot of health benefits linked to them.
Want to know more about Christmas herbal teas? Check out our post – Why herbal teas are the best Christmas wellness idea!
