Chronic Kidney Disease and Alcohol

The holiday season is here, bringing all sorts of festivities.  You are almost certain to be invited to a social gathering that includes alcohol on the drink menu. Are you uncertain if you should indulge? Unsure about alcohol and your chronic kidney disease?  I am here to help provide you with information to make healthy decisions this season. So,  before you head out to make merry, or ring in the new year with a toast, read on! 

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In the United States, 60% of adults reported they consumed at least one alcoholic drink in the past 30 days. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly 17% of adults binge drink and 6% report heavy drinking.  

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Alcohol is a depressant

Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system so that it slows down how you are able to function.  You’re breathing, heart rate, ability to think clearly and make decisions, are all affected.  When you drink, alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream.

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Alcohol and The Kidneys 

When the kidneys are healthy, they remove extra fluid, toxins, and waste products from your blood, this includes alcohol.  Alcohol causes changes to how the kidneys function. They are less able to filter the blood, and ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body can be affected. The following are things to consider regarding Alcohol and Kidney Disease:

• Alcohol causes dehydration
• Alcohol may affect your blood pressure
• Alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills. 
• Alcohol may cause a drop in blood sugar. (If you have CKD and diabetes, make sure your healthcare provider gives you the green light before drinking alcohol, and eat with alcohol consumption in order to prevent low blood sugar).
• Alcohol has no nutritional benefit, only empty calories. Depending on the type of alcohol, and mixers, you also may be adding carbohydrates, which affect blood sugar, and the calories you are drinking can quickly add up. 
• Alcohol can interact with prescription and over the counter medications

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Alcohol Guidelines

Current recommendations from the CDC regarding alcohol are that women should not consume more than one alcoholic drink per day, and men should not consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day, on days they drink alcoholic beverages. Further, the CDC recommends that  alcohol should not be consumed on more than three days per week, and reminds people they may also choose not to drink, and therefore avoid the health effects associated with drinking alcohol.  Drinking may increase risk of kidney disease and of developing high blood pressure.  

Are you unsure how much alcohol is in a serving size?  The following are standard drink sizes by alcohol in the United States:

• Beer 12 oz. (5% alcohol content)
• Malt liqour 8 oz. (7% alcohol content)
• Wine 5 oz. (12% alcohol content)
• Distilled spirits 1.5 oz. (standard U.S. shot) of 80 proof alcohol (This is Vodka, Rum, Gin, Whiskey, Tequila).  Be aware that many popular cocktails are made with either more than one standard serving or with two separate types of alcohol, increasing your serving amount of alcohol.

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Kidney Friendly ways to Celebrate The Holidays

Here are some of my tips for enjoying a kidney friendly beverage during your celebration:

• Offer to bring your own beverages, that way you know there will be kidney friendly options for you to enjoy. Good holiday choices are apple cider, tea, and lemonade.
• Try a “mocktail”, it’s made to look like a cocktail, but is made without the alcohol.  
• Try a wine spritzer.  Made with a smaller serving of wine, approximately 2 oz. over a glass of ice fill rest of glass with sparkling water.  This is a great way to reduce alcohol and calorie intake
• If you are restricting fluids, try sipping slowly on beverage, allowing you to enjoy smaller portions longer.

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Your Health Comes First

If you do have alcoholic drinks, make it kidney friendly, be responsible, talk to your healthcare provider about alcohol use to make sure it is safe for you,  and make sure you are putting your health first, after all you want to remain healthy for many more holiday celebrations to come!  

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Credit

This blog was based on a post written by Emily Campbell and published here with her permission. The original post can be found here.

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Related Articles

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Why It’s Important to Control Fluids in a Hemodialysis Diet

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About Emily Campbell

Emily Campbell is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition who lives in Toronto, ON. Over the years, she has experience working with individuals with a variety of kidney conditions to help them improve their eating; and preserve their kidney function through her career in hospitals as well as her private practice Kidney Nutrition. Not only does she have experience as a renal dietitian with patients, but she also has family members living with kidney disease so she understand the stress and complexities mealtime and celebrations can present. She has been practicing as a renal dietitian for over six years and am also is a two-time cookbook author of The Complete Renal Diet Cookbook and Renal Diet Cookbook for Caregivers.

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Patient Education Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. KidneyLuv makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely, but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or health care professional.

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