Recipe of the Week - Shrimp Egg Rolls

Easy Shrimp Egg Rolls inspired by my favorite Chinese take-out only healthier, loaded with shrimp in every bite. Air fryer or baked!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 large scallions, chopped

  • 3 cups chopped green cabbage

  • 1/2 cups shredded carrots

  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

  • 1/2 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar

  • 1/2 pound large peeled raw shrimp, chopped

  • 6 egg roll wrappers

  • Olive oil spray

  • Sweet chili sauce, duck sauce or spicy mustard, for dipping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sauté, until shrimp is almost cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes.

  • Add ginger, garlic and scallions. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cabbage and carrots, soy sauce and vinegar.

  • Cook on high heat until vegetables are tender crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain and let cool.

  • One at a time, place egg roll wrapper on a clean surface, points facing top and bottom like a diamond. Spoon a 1/3 cup mixture onto the bottom third of the wrapper.

  • Dip your finger in a small bowl of water and run it along the edges of the wrapper. Lift the point nearest you and wrap it around the filling.

  • Fold the left and right corners in toward the center and continue to roll into a tight cylinder. Set aside and repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.

  • Spray all sides of the egg rolls with oil using your fingers to evenly coat.

  • In batches, cook 370F for 5 to 7 minutes, turning halfway through until golden brown.

  • Serve immediately, with dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

  • To make this in the oven:

  • Preheat oven to 425F, then stuff and bake until golden on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 Egg Roll

  • Calories: 137

  • Carbohydrates: 16g

  • Protein: 11g

  • Fat: 3g

  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g

  • Sodium: 414mg

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sugar: 1.5g

Origin of Covid: Following the Clues

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Did people or nature open Pandora’s box at Wuhan?

By: Nicholas Wade

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted lives the world over for more than a year. Its death toll will soon reach three million people. Yet the origin of pandemic remains uncertain: the political agendas of governments and scientists have generated thick clouds of obfuscation, which the mainstream press seems helpless to dispel.

In what follows I will sort through the available scientific facts, which hold many clues as to what happened, and provide readers with the evidence to make their own judgments. I will then try to assess the complex issue of blame, which starts with, but extends far beyond, the government of China.

By the end of this article, you may have learned a lot about the molecular biology of viruses. I will try to keep this process as painless as possible. But the science cannot be avoided because for now, and probably for a long time hence, it offers the only sure thread through the maze.

The virus that caused the pandemic is known officially as SARS-CoV-2, but can be called SARS2 for short. As many people know, there are two main theories about its origin. One is that it jumped naturally from wildlife to people. The other is that the virus was under study in a lab, from which it escaped. It matters a great deal which is the case if we hope to prevent a second such occurrence.

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Recipe of the Week - Turkey Picadillo

Turkey Picadillo is a lighter alternative to my favorite Cuban beef picadillo recipe only much leaner, and made with ground turkey instead.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1.33 lb 93% lean ground turkey

  • 4 oz tomato sauce, (1/2 can)

  • 1 tsp kosher salt1 tsp ground cumin

  • 2 small bay leaves

  • 2 tbsp green Spanish pitted olives, plus 2 tbsp brine

  • Sofrito:

    • 1 medium tomato

    • 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

    • 2 cloves minced garlic

    • 2 tbsp red bell pepper, finely chopped

    • 2 tbsp cilantro, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Brown the ground turkey on medium heat in large sauté pan and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat up into small pieces.

  • Meanwhile, while turkey is cooking, make the sofrito by chopping onion, garlic, pepper, tomato and cilantro. (I quickly do it in my mini chopper)

  • Add sofrito to the meat and continue cooking on a low heat.

  • Add olives and about 2 tbsp of the brine (this adds great flavor) cumin, bay leaves, and more salt if needed.

  • Add tomato sauce and 1/4 cup of water and mix well.

  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 15 to 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/2 Cup

  • Calories: 238

  • Carbohydrates: 7.5g

  • Protein: 29g

  • Fat: 11g

  • Saturated Fat: 3g

  • Cholesterol: 100mg

  • Sodium: 354mg

  • Fiber: 1.5g

  • Sugar: 2.5g

10 Reasons You Should be Strength Training

Photo by Evelyn Chong from Pexels

Photo by Evelyn Chong from Pexels

It’s time you ran out of excuses. Here are ten great reasons to get up and start adding strength training to your regime.

  1. You will be "better" at EVERYTHING!

  2. You will BURN more CALORIES!

  3. You will IMPROVE your mood and handle stress more easily.

  4. You will HELP your heart!

  5. You will BUILD stronger bones!

  6. You will REDUCE your risk of diabetes (and improve your quality of life if you have diabetes)!

  7. You will "lose" more weight and look "slimmer"!

  8. You will stand taller!

  9. You will have better focus!

  10. You will sleep better!

Recipe of the Week - Watermelon Feta Salad

This easy Watermelon Feta Salad, made with only four ingredients, is a summer staple at your next summer BBQ!

INGREDIENTS

  • 9 cups watermelon, cut in large circles with a melon baller

  • 2 loose cups baby arugula

  • 8 to 10 fresh spearmint leaves, chopped

  • 8 ounce package feta cheese, crumbled in large chunks

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Using a melon baller, prepare the melon into large balls. Set aside in a bowl until ready to serve.

  • About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, drain the liquid from the bowl (I poured it into a cup and drank it!).

  • Scatter half of the watermelon into a large, shallow serving bowl and scatter half of the arugula and feta on top, repeat with the remaining watermelon, arugula and feta then top everything with fresh mint.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 Cup

  • Calories: 85

  • Carbohydrates: 9.5g

  • Protein: 3.5g

  • Fat: 4g

  • Saturated Fat: 3g

  • Cholesterol: 17mg

  • Sodium: 213.5mg

  • Fiber: 0.5g

  • Sugar: 8g

How Important Is Consistency in Fitness?

Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

By: Mark Sisson

Time to take an informal poll. Who here fits in two strength training sessions, 1-2 sprint/interval sessions and 3-5 hours of walking or low level cardio on top of ample play time – every single week? I’m betting there’s still a lot of hands raised in this crowd, but I’m going to wager I lost quite a number as the list went on. In an ideal world with a perfect schedule, we’d all consistently reach these goals. The best results come from this general protocol. That said, this level of regularity is probably the exception rather than the rule if you’re talking about the long-term – month after month, year after year. And, yet, plenty of us are in great shape – even if we didn’t always fit in the above full regimen. Hmm… Maybe the concept of consistency is more nuanced than we normally give it credit for.

The fact is, there are a lot of legitimate reasons to skip workouts now and then. You’re sick. Your kids are sick (and it’s the kind where there’s really no getting away). A minor catastrophe at work keeps you (long) after hours. You overdid it during your last workout or are paying for a weekend warrior stint that pushed you far beyond your comfort zone. You spent weeks dedicated to P90X or some other high octane routine, and now you’re totally burned out on it. You joined a gym and became a regular in a couple of classes, but now you’re not feeling it anymore. Maybe you tend to jump from thing to thing, experimenting with equipment and trends here and there. Like most people, you go through periods of consistency, even intense dedication, and then you settle out into phases of rest or even brief recess.

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The Best Way to Hydrate

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

By: Erin Power

We’re all looking for the perfect formula, right? Just tell me how many grams of fat and carbs to eat. How many steps to take per day. And how many glasses of water I should be drinking within a 24-hour period.

We love the precision of it all. The safety of micromanaging every detail of our life with the promise that if we can dial it in enough, we’ll enjoy perfect health for the rest of our days. But when you think about all the forcing, measuring, counting, and obsessive overplanning that goes into this kind of micromanagement, there’s actually nothing healthy about it.

There’s nothing healthy about ignoring your body’s own cues in favor of what general nutrition — or random social media influencers say. Nutrition might be a science, but it’s also an art form. And learning to trust your body and what it’s trying to tell you trumps any water-to weight-ratio chart you’ll find online.

But How Much Water Should You Drink?

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Recipe of the Week - Cheeseburger Crunch Wrap

This Cheeseburger Crunch Wrap is so easy, stuffed with classic burger ingredients and wrapped in a crunchy tortilla. Use any burger meat you wish here!

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces 93% ground turkey

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 large, 10-inch low-carb tortillas (Tumaros)

  • 2 slices American or cheddar, (.7 ounces each)

  • 2 tablespoons ketchup

  • 1 tablespoon golden mustard

  • dill pickle and red onion slices

  • shredded lettuce

  • olive oil spray

  • Optional for crunch: Add air fryer french fries or chips, if desired (extra)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Form meat into two flat patties, 1/3 inch thick. Season with salt.

  • For Skillet:

    • Spray a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook 5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.

    • Wipe clean and spray with oil, keep heated over medium-low heat.

    • Place the burger in the center of the wrap followed by the cheese, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard and lettuce. Fold the sides over to crunch wrap it by folding the sides over each other.

    • Place on the hot skillet, folded side down. Cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until browned and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes more.

  • For Air Fryer:

    • Air fry the burgers 400F 10 to 14 min turning halfway, until cooked through in the center.

    • Wipe the air fryer basket clean and spray with oil.

    • Place the burger in the center of the wrap followed by the cheese, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard and lettuce.

    • Fold the sides over to crunch wrap it and place it on the air fryer basket, folded side down.

    • Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F, and then add your wrap inside folded side down, spritz the top with oil and air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, flip carefully halfway.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 Crunch Wrap

  • Calories: 354

  • Carbohydrates: 22g

  • Protein: 33g

  • Fat: 18.5g

  • Saturated Fat: 6.5g

  • Cholesterol: 103.5mg

  • Sodium: 1282.5mg

  • Fiber: 10g

  • Sugar: 1.5g

Are Salt and Sodium Bad for You?

Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

By: Mark Sisson

Other than saturated fat, I can’t think of a nutrient that’s been so universally maligned and demonized as salt. All the experts hate it and recommend that we get as little of it as possible. They even all seem to have their own little anti-salt slogans. The American Diabetes Association recommends between 2300 and 1500 mg of sodium per day (“Be Sodium Savvy”). The American Heart Association wants you eating less than 1500 mg per day and claims that 97% of young people already eat way too much salt. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) also recommends keeping sodium below 2300 mg.

Why has salt been cast in such a negative light?

Why Salt Became Worrisome

Back in the 1980s, researchers launched a massive global study of salt intake and blood pressure called INTERSALT. Overall, it showed a modest association between the two, but some groups, particularly the undeveloped, non-industrial peoples who had very little access to salt (and other trappings of industrialization), had blood pressure that was generally extremely low.

Foremost among these groups were the Yanomami of the Amazon rainforest.1 The Yanomami have very low sodium excretion, which indicates very low sodium intake, and very low blood pressure. Even the elderly Yanomami enjoyed low blood pressure.

Sounds convincing, right? Low salt intake, low lifelong incidence of hypertension – how much more cut and dry can you get? This low salt and low blood pressure connection seemed to also apply to other groups who happened to be living more traditional ways of life.

Except that there’s another non-industrialized group (and you only need one) whose slightly different results kinda muck up the Yanomami argument: the Kuna of Panama.

Among the Kuna, a tribe native to Panama, both salt intake and blood pressure were also historically low well into old age. To study whether the two variables were linked, researchers examined a group of “acculturated” Kuna2 with ample access to salt and an otherwise strict adherence to their traditional way of life. Little changed but the salt intake. in other words. But, despite consuming an average of 2.6 daily teaspoons of salt (and sometimes up to 6 teaspoons), the Kuna did not have hypertension, not even in old age. In other words, there was no change between the hypertensive statuses of 20 year old Kuna and 60 year old Kuna, even though they ate more salt.

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Recipe of the Week - Low Yolk Egg Salad

This easy, low-yolk egg salad is made with a mix of whole eggs and egg whites with a little mayo and scallions. Serve this on your favorite whole grain bread, in a wrap or lettuce wrap.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 large hard boiled eggs, peeled

  • 4 teaspoons light mayonnaise, *check labels for whole30

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 2 tbsp chopped green scallions or chives

  • kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Separate the yolks from the egg whites and discard 2 of the yolks.

  • Chop the eggs and combine with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, scallions, salt and pepper.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/2 of the Salad

  • Calories: 122k

  • Carbohydrates: 2g

  • Protein: 9.5g

  • Fat: 7.6g

  • Saturated Fat: 2g

  • Cholesterol: 189mg

  • Sodium: 235mg

  • Sugar: 0.5g

Nine Best At-Home Cardio Workouts

Photo by Dom J from Pexels

Photo by Dom J from Pexels

Looking to get your cardio going without needing to head to the gym? Check out these nine exercises you can easily do at home!

1) Jump Rope

2) Jumping Jacks

3) Jog in Place

4) Burpees

5) Mountain Climbers

6) Squat Jumps

7) Bear Crawl Push Ups

8) Kick Boxing

9)Staircase Exercise

And the best of all . . . get outside and run, walk, or play!

*Need more detailed information? Click Here.

Thank Goodness for Failure!

Photo by Georges Tomazou from Pexels

Photo by Georges Tomazou from Pexels

By: Mark Sisson

For our animal brethren, mistakes are very often fatal. Stockpiling too little food for the winter, zigging when they should have zagged to escape the predator’s clutches, or stepping awkwardly and breaking a leg could, and probably did, spell the end.

For better or worse, we modern humans usually get to live with the consequences of our actions. We are around to deal with the aftermath of our mistakes. Even though most of our daily screw-ups are of little consequence in the big picture of life, they still feel awful. Our mammalian brains are wired to be highly averse to failure, pain, and social rejection, though they are unavoidable. As long as you’re living and breathing, you’re going to make mistakes, sometimes big ones.

And if you’re really living—trying new things, boldly blazing a trail for yourself, taking big leaps—you will crash and burn sometimes. You’ll lose your shirt in a business deal gone wrong, someone you care about will break your heart, a perfect opportunity will pass you by because you didn’t pull the trigger at the right time.

I’m speaking from experience here. I like to think I have lived life boldly and to the fullest, and as a result, I have failed big more than a few times. And you know what? I’m profoundly grateful for those failures. Without exception, every failure was a crucial stepping stone to where I am today. From my vantage point as a not-young man (I’m not ready to call myself old yet), I can look back and honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without failing.

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Recipe of the Week - Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This quick and simple Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin cooked in the air fryer is perfect for weeknight dinners and packed with so much flavor!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 pork tenderloin, about 1 1/2 lbs

  • 6 center cut strips bacon

  • cooking string

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Season pork with salt and pepper. Lay the bacon on a cutting board to be roughly the same size as the tenderloin.

  • Cut two bacon strips in half (since the ends are thinner, they don’t need a whole strip). Lay two halves next to each other, then four full strips, then the other two halves next to each other.

  • Carefully lay the tenderloin over the bacon. Tightly roll up the pork jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Tie the roast at 2- inch intervals with kitchen string each about 12-inches long.

  • Carefully cut the tenderloin in half to fit in the air fryer.

  • Put the tenderloin inside and fry at 400 F for 20 minutes turning halfway, until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145-150 F. Let the pork rest about 5 minutes before slicing. Slice into 12 slices.

  • Optional: Serve with grain mustard, fig jam, sweet chile sauce, etc.

Nutrition Information:

  • Serving Size: 4oz

  • Calories: 153

  • Carbohydrates: 0.5g

  • Protein: 26.5g

  • Fat: 4g

  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g

  • Cholesterol: 76mg

  • Sodium: 258.5mg

The Benefits of Having a Beginner Mind

Photo by Kelvin Valerio from Pexels

Photo by Kelvin Valerio from Pexels

By: Erin Power

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you’re fed up because this fat loss thing isn’t as easy as it was when you were in your 20s. Or maybe you’re frustrated because you used to love the freedom of working out at lunch and now it feels like a hassle to leave your desk and *gasp* shower twice a day.

Sometimes it’s the novelty of a new routine, a new way of eating, and new-found endorphins that makes embarking on a health journey exciting. And somehow, in the middle of unrealistic expectations, lack-of-newness, and a few discouraging setbacks, it becomes unsatisfying at best.

As a health coach, I’m trained in the nuances of how to reprogram my clients’ genes, but I’m also a seasoned pro at understanding the psychology behind what makes them successful versus what makes them continue to beat their head against the wall wondering why everything seems like such a freakin’ chore.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. To get where you really want to go, you’ve got to maintain what experts call, a beginner’s mind.

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Recipe of the Week - Ahi Tuna Stacks

Ahi Tuna Poke Rice Stacks with layers of chunks of sushi-grade tuna, avocado, cucumbers, spicy mayo, and rice layered in fun easy stacks.

INGREDIENTS

For Tuna:

  • 12 ounces raw sushi grade tuna, cubed small

  • 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, or gluten-free tamari, liquid aminos

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon sriracha1 scallion, sliced

For Stacks:

  • 1 cup cooked short-grain brown rice, heated

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 cup peeled and diced cucumber, about 1 medium

  • 1/2 cup mashed avocado, about 1 medium

  • 4 teaspoons Furikake, such as Eden Shake or use sesame seeds

  • 4 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, or gluten-free

  • 4 teaspoons mayonnaise

  • 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a large bowl combine tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha and scallions.

  • Gently toss and set aside while you prepare the rest.

  • Place the heated rice in a bowl and add rice vinegar; stir.

  • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and sriracha sauce.

  • Lightly spray the inside of a 1 cup dry measuring cup with oil (use one with straight edges) then start by layering 1/4 cup cucumber, then 2 tablespoon of avocado and smooth, then 1/4 of the tuna and flatten with the back of a spoon, and finally 1/4 cup rice.

  • Carefully turn the cup upside down to turn the stack out onto a plate, lightly tapping the bottom of the cup if necessary.

  • Sprinkle with Furikake and drizzle with 1 teaspoon soy sauce and sriracha mayonnaise.

  • Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 2 Stacks

  • Calories: 561

  • Carbohydrates: 37.5g

  • Protein: 48.5g

  • Fat: 24.5g

  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g

  • Cholesterol: 76mg

  • Sodium: 1620.5mg

  • Fiber: 7.5g

  • Sugar: 5g

Top 10 Deadlift Mistakes

Photo by jan valle from Pexels

Photo by jan valle from Pexels

Looking to perfect your deadlift? Avoid these ten common mistakes.

1) Pulling with a rounded back.

2) Allowing your back to round under load.

3) Bending at the back rather than breaking at the hips.

4) Having the bar too far in front of you.

5) Trying to brace and tighten up after grabbing the bar.

6) Lifting the weight by extending the back rather than the hips.

7) Squatting and not deadlifting.

8) Overly arching your back.

9) Shins not vertical.

10) Letting your chest drop when lifting the bar.

*Need more detailed information? Click Here.

Do You Know How to Properly Hydrate? It’s Not as Straight forward as You Might Think

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

By: Lindsay Taylor PhD

Hydration seems like it should be so easy: drink some water, go about your day, the end. Back in this blog’s early days, and when I first published The Primal Blueprint, my hydration advice was simple: drink when you’re thirsty.

Over the years, however, my thinking on the hydration issue has become more nuanced. When I updated and expanded the most recent edition of The Primal Blueprint in 2016, I expanded on that basic advice to include more details about what we should be drinking and how much.

For the most part, I still think that “drink to thirst” is a sound strategy for the average person. Your body has a built-in, well-regulated thirst mechanism that will keep you from becoming dehydrated in normal circumstances. However, some folks, like the endurance athletes in the crowd, would be wise to take a more intentional approach.

Benefits of Proper Hydration and How It’s Regulated

Hydration is a critical component of optimal health. Digestion, muscle contraction, circulation, thermoregulation, and neurologic functioning all rely on having appropriate fluid balance in the body.

Your brain and kidneys are constantly working to maintain optimal hydration status. When you become even slightly dehydrated, several things happen. First and foremost, your blood osmolality (concentration) increases. Dehydration can also cause a decrease in blood volume and, often, blood pressure.

The brain and kidneys sense these changes and release hormones and hormone precursors designed to restore homeostasis.1 For example, the pituitary gland releases an anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressin, or AVP, which tells the kidneys to hold on to water. Blood vessels constrict. Most importantly, a brain region known as the lamina terminalis initiates the powerful sensation we know as thirst.

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Recipe of the Week - Spicy Crunch Tuna Tartare

Spicy Crunchy Tuna Tartare is my favorite restaurant appetizer that's so easy to make yourself and will impress your guests! Made with tuna, avocado and some panko for crunch.

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz sushi grade ahi tuna, finely chopped

  • 2 tsp pure sesame oil

  • 1 tsp rice wine

  • 2 tsp fresh lime juice

  • 2 tsp soy sauce, or gluten-free tamari1 tsp sriracha, or more to taste

  • 2 tbsp chives, minced

  • 2 tbsp panko crumbs, plain or gluten-free

  • 1 ripe, firm hass avocado, diced

  • 1 tsp black and white sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine sesame oil, rice wine, lime juice, soy sauce and sriracha in a medium bowl.

  • Pour over tuna and mix.

  • Add chives and gently combine tuna with diced avocado, refrigerate until ready to serve.

  • Add panko crumbs just before serving and top with sesame seeds.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/4

  • Calories: 197.6k

  • Carbohydrates: 7.9g

  • Protein: 18.6g

  • Fat: 10.3g

  • Fiber: 3.1g

Is Alcohol Bad For You If You’re Not Addicted?

Photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels

Photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels

By: Mark Sisson

The Negative Aspects of Alcohol - Alcohol Is a Toxin That Your Body Must Metabolize and Excrete

Our ability to break alcohol down into less toxic metabolites didn’t arise because of our tendency to seek out fermented fruits. Over the course of an average day, the average human digestive system produces about three grams of ethanol just from the gut flora fermenting the gut’s contents. If we didn’t have the ability to metabolize and detoxify ethanol, those three grams would add up real quick and represent a huge toxin load on our bodies.

After alcohol is consumed, a number of enzymatic reactions ensue. In the liver, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase converts the ethanol to acetaldehyde, an incredibly toxic compound that’s been implicated in causing many hangover symptoms. An enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase converts the acetaldehyde into acetic acid, or vinegar, which is harmless unless you’re a cucumber. From there, you’re good to go. Sounds simple enough, right? Just let the enzymes do their thing. As long as you make those enzymes, the alcohol will be safely and effectively metabolized into table vinegar which can then be extracted to form a delicious salad dressing (that last part isn’t true).

Unfortunately, not everyone produces the same amount and quality of detoxifying enzymes. Many people of East Asian descent possess a dominant mutation in the gene that codes for aldehyde dehydrogenase, making it less effective. While they’re less likely to be alcoholics, folks with the mutation (characterized by a “flushing” upon ingestion) are at an elevated risk of liver damage and esophageal cancer.

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