alcohol and pcos; friend or foe?

As we all know alcohol is a toxin. This doesn't mean you can't indulge rarely and responsibly! I wanted to talk about the relationship between PCOS and alcohol- because believe it or not there are pros AND cons.

Pros of minimal alcohol consumption

(these are high-quality wines or spirits consumed in small and irregular amounts)

🍷Possible improved insulin sensitivity- so this was wild for me to find out! New research is emerging in regards to alcohol and insulin sensitivity- it is said alcohol (when consumed in proper amounts) can actually increase insulin sensitivity by 18%

*insulin sensitivity benefits will only occur if the alcohol is consumed with no sugar additions*

Cons of alcohol consumption in PCOS

🍷 Increase inflammation- alcohol is an irritant to the body, with irritation in the GI tract comes fluid retention, bloating and inflammation.

🍷 Decreased fertility- more than 14 alcoholic beverages a week can decrease fertility by 18% which is already a common struggle for those with PCOS

🍷 Effected sleep- alcohol affects our circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), if you've ever had broken sleep after a night out you know what I'm talking about!

🍷 Increased hunger- weight-related issues are incredibly common with PCOS. Drinking is commonly associated with not-so-healthful foods (no guilt needed- it happens!)

So what to make of this information?

You can make your choice of quality and quantity of alcohol consumption- you now have the power to make an informed and health-conscious decision on your next night out! If you choose to drink you can always use some liver-supporting nutrients such as milk thistle, dandelion and burdock!🌿

If you’re interested in learning more about PCOS, how to manage it and my biggest recommendations as a PCOS nutritionist check out my PCOS Deep Dive e-book if you’re not ready to see a nutritionist, if you are ready for wellness with one-on-one nutrition coaching check out my Hormone Harmony!