Today I'm chatting all about alcohol & your hormones! Here’s what to expect:How alcohol affects your hormones & PMSHow it affects people with PCOS differentlyThe most ideal time in your cycle to avoid drinkingThe “best/better” options of alcoholHow to minimize the negative effects of alcoholDETAILS & RESEARCH:Alcohol increases estrogen production (even after 1 drink)EXCESS ESTROGEN SYMPTOMS: Irregular or heavy periods, water retention, breast swelling and tenderness, headaches, migraines, fibrocystic breast changes, weight gain, mood swings, hair loss, painful periods ,PMSDrinking makes you 45% MORE LIKELY to experience PMS symptoms if you’re having 1 drink a day.More than 1 drink a day increases your PMS symptoms by 79%.How it makes PMS worseDehydrationDepletes MagnesiumFluctuates hormone levelsKeeps your liver busy so you can’t process hormonesAffects gut microbiome so you can’t eliminate hormonesImbalanced blood sugar levelsEstrogen levels peak just before ovulation & about a week before your period starts, so those would be ideal times to avoid drinking.AMOUNT THAT HAS THE BIGGEST EFFECT: 4 or more drinks in 2 hours, 5x a monthWomen with PCOS have double the risk of getting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to women without PCOS.QUOTES:“Long term consumption of alcohol shrinks the brain including the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that regulates the HPA axis or stress response system. This can result in a dysregulation of your stress response or HPA axis.” Period Repair Manual pg. 117 by Lara Briden ND.“Alcohol impairs the healthy clearance of estrogen. Alcohol also causes insulin resistance, damages gut bacteria, prevents nutrient absorption, impairs detoxification, and depletes an important anti-inflammatory molecule called glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and immune regulator. Every cell in your body makes glutathione and every cell needs it.” Period Repair Manual pg. 117 by Lara Briden ND.Join the Mind Your Hormones Community and Connect with me & other members of this community!Free facebook group: Mind Your Hormones Podcast CommunityMind Your Hormones Instagram: @mindyourhormones.podcastCome connect with me on my personal Instagram: @corinneangealicaPRODUCT LINKS! Want professional grade supplements for 10% off? Head to my dashboard! (Click HERE for the CANADIAN dashboard).[DISCLAIMER: Always check with your medical practitioner before taking any supplements]If you're obsessed with organic, non-toxic skin care and you want one that's AFFORDABLE & EFFECTIVE check out my fave Skin Essence Organics and use code CORINNE for 15% off! If you love or want to try CBD, my absolutely favorite brand is MySoul CBD- Code CORINNE15 saves you 15%So grateful you’re here! XO Corinne