Ah, the black milk – loved by millions my hubby included.
Maybe the hubby was feeling inspired by my sobriety or after far too many years he felt the need for a health kick, either way the 0% Guinness found its way into my shopping cart and into his eager little hands.
0% alcohol has become the new trend and consequently drinks manufacturers have stepped up to the plate (or drinking glass) and have delivered long awaited alternatives, wine, beer and Guinness has been given the health halo treatment.
But is it really delivering that healthy glow we’re led to believe?
Consider alcohol itself doesn’t’ just offer a bunch of empty calories but is it actually seen by the body for the toxin it really is, needless to say your hard working liver (who has over 500 other jobs to be getting on with) has to down tools, roll up its sleeves and get to work shifting the alcohol out of your system.
When the liver gets overwhelmed with a little too much indulgence of beer and wine and spirits problems like Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease begin to emerge, and that fat – yes that beer gut is bad news for your body.
Smashing, well then just turn to the 0% – I am reliably informed it doesn’t quite taste the same – I’m not a connoisseur on the black milk so I couldn’t possibly comment but here’s the thing, this 0% black milk harbours a dark secret.
Yes it comes down to reading those discreet little nutrition labels – fructose is one of the main ingredients – well that can’t be bad, fructose is found in fruit and fruit is the good guy isn’t it?
Here’s the harsh truth – fructose in fruit in moderation and eaten as a whole piece is fabulous, it’s got everything going for it, it tastes good, it’s got those polyphenols which are all the rage, it’s got fibre, and it truly deserves its well earned health halo. But take away those polyphenols and the fibre and you’re just left with sweetness.
Whilst this fructose won’t spike your blood sugar like glucose will, something way more sinister in lying in wait – Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or to give it it’s new title Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.
Just like alcohol the fructose is predominantly dealt with by our hard working friend the liver, and that my friends isn’t really keeping with the Luck of the Irish.
The hubby has an unpleasant decision to ponder on – to drink the black milk as ‘nature intended’ with the alcoholic content intact or to down the imposter, both of which will lead to the same fattening up of our most senior of organs and one we really don’t want to upset.
Enjoy responsibly and enjoy your St Patricks celebrations.