End of year overeating and turmeric - Nutritionist's Column Vol.54

2021 has come to a close in the blink of an eye, and there are only a few days left in the year.

The end of the year is a season of various events such as Christmas and year-end parties.
Fun events often come with delicious food and alcohol, but it's easy to eat and drink too much, and before you know it, you'll find yourself gaining weight or becoming ill.

In this article, we will talk about some tips to prevent health problems caused by overeating and drinking at the end of the year, and about turmeric, a plant that has become popular in drinks and other media.

Avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and be mindful of the order in which you eat snacks.

First of all, avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
It is said that drinking alcohol on an empty stomach puts a strain on the liver and makes you more likely to get drunk. It is also important to be conscious of the order in which you eat.
It is recommended to eat snacks in the following order: fiber, protein, carbohydrates.
Instead of starting with fried chicken right away, you start with pickles, then sashimi, and finally rice to finish off the meal. This is the standard image.

Also, during this time, the internal organs tend to get cold and the stomach and intestines tend to function poorly.
For this reason, it is recommended to warm up your stomach with something warm, such as soup, at the beginning of a meal or before a drinking party.
It is also effective to drink non-alcoholic fluids, such as water or oolong tea, while drinking alcohol.

If you still find yourself drinking too much, turmeric is the answer.

However, to avoid the regret of having drunk too much, turmeric has become a standard hangover remedy in the form of supplements.

Turmeric is a type of spice.
It is made from dried underground stems similar to ginger, and is mainly produced in India, Taiwan, and Okinawa.

Among the many types of turmeric, there are three types sold in Japan: spring turmeric, autumn turmeric, purple turmeric, and black turmeric.
The most common type, which is often used in supplements, is "autumn turmeric," which contains the most of a nutrient called "curcumin."
It is a spice that is also used to color foods yellow; it is called turmeric in English and is used in curry powder, etc.

The main component of turmeric, curcumin, and its effects

As mentioned above, autumn turmeric is rich in minerals and dietary fiber, with curcumin being its main component.
This curcumin is expected to have a variety of effects.

■ Improves liver function

This is a welcome ingredient for people who drink a lot of alcohol, as it enhances the liver's detoxification function, promotes the metabolism of substances that cause drunkenness, and is also expected to prevent hangovers.
Curcumin also has the potential to lower cholesterol levels by promoting bile secretion.

■ Stomach health effect

Curcumin and other ingredients promote the secretion of saliva and gastric juices and protect the gastric mucosa.

■ Antioxidant effect

Because it has antioxidant properties that remove active oxygen, it is also expected to have effects on maintaining beautiful skin and a healthy brain.

First of all, try not to drink too much.

The cause of a hangover is drinking too much alcohol.

It is thought that this occurs due to dehydration caused by alcohol, which reduces the amount of water in the body, or due to drinking too much alcohol and not being able to process all of the harmful substance "acetaldehyde" that is produced when alcohol is metabolized, which remains in the body.

However, in reality, the exact mechanism behind what happens inside the body when you drink too much alcohol and cause you to feel unwell is still unknown.

Due to the expected effects of "curcumin" mentioned above, turmeric is used to relieve hangover symptoms and to relieve the nausea after drinking alcohol, but above all, it is important to drink alcohol in moderation and not to drink too much.

However, the irreplaceable time you spend with family and friends will give you energy for the next day.
To avoid any regrets, be sure to take care of your health at the end of the year and welcome the new year in a good mood!

Click here to purchase GRØN's " Protein Blend (Golden Warrior) ", which contains pesticide-free autumn turmeric from Okinawa Prefecture.

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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