Honestly, when I went on keto alcohol was the first thing I swore never to drink again, and frankly the easiest thing to give up for me.

I really appreciate this video. I have been following the ketovore lifestyle for a few years now but I definitely enjoy a glass of wine or two. I go as low carb as I can and choose to have my carbs from wine. And if course I realize that while having wine, or any kind of alcohol, my body goes into a pause with fat burning. During weight loss, I avoided alcohol but now that I'm in maintenance, I enjoy it.

I started a near Ketogenic diet 6 Months ago. Works great for me! I lost 35 lbs. and lowered my Blood Pressure. Before that, I was a heavy drinker, Beer and Jack Daniels, and others! Now I only have a drink or two on the weekends and almost no Beer. I am like you Doctor, I like alcohol for the way it makes me feel. I release that it has health issues, But I am 67 and I still want to enjoy my life even as I try to make healthier choices in order to live a bit longer in good health.

"I've got to meet you where you are, not where I would have you." Love that statement.

Thanks for your honesty. I enjoy my neat whiskey (especially Scotch) a couple times a week. Indeed, I'm a whiskey collector and I adore the wide variety of bottles I have. Like coffee, it's a treat that I will continue until my demise. As long as I keep the consumption to two drinks or so a week, it doesn't impact my health. A note I'd add is that whiskey has zero carbs.

Carnivore for 6 months and loving it! I never drink for a purpose other than pleasure. I somehow have a switch inside of me that avoids alcohol if angry/stressed or depressed. When going carnivore, the only alcohol I drank was vodka martini's, red wine or neat bourbon. Six months in, I now allow up to 2 craft beers a week (which is my indulgence, and exception to my rules) with no negative effect to my weight loss or wellbeing. Thank you for you great balanced and informative dialogue!

I haven't heard such a comprehensive discussion on alcohol and lifestyle. Thank you.

I emigrated to South Africa 30 years ago. The wines here are the best!

I love my cocktails on Saturdays with friends ! I am a keto cocktail expert … my margaritas rock too !

So true! I can take alcohol r leave it! But carbs if I eat,I will never stop! It's like a sickness!Thanks for all you do!

I like to start the day with a cup of black coffee and end the day with a glass of wine. These are my bookends for starting and ending my day. Since I do not like sweets, I mix about a 1/4 cup of wine with equal amount of ice water and finish the glass with ice cubes. I look forward to both as they are my quiet time with myself. I thoroughly enjoy your perspectives as they make sense and are not extreme measures, Dr. Cywes. Thank you.

Best video i've ever watched, concerning alcohol. Congratulations.

This is one of the best explanations on alcohol I’ve seen , great video. I am carnivore and have an occasional drink

I lost the control of my relationship with rice and chapati. Those are my carbohydrate addictions. But it's been a year + 1 month of keto/carnivore without them, and I don't miss them anymore, even though I remember how good they taste. Now, like Doc, I have full control of my relationship with alcohol. Monday - Friday is just plain water. Saturday is 1 Aperol Spritz + 1 bottle of red wine. Sunday is 1 Aperol Spritz + 1 bottle of white wine. If I go out to eat for work or with friends, I'll usually have 1 - 2 Long Island Ice Teas, and a shared bottle of wine. But when I do that, I know I won't be drinking on at least one day of the weekend, so that the drinking stays at 2 days per week. And that is just fine. In fact, I find I metabolize alcohol much better since I went keto/carnivore, because my intoxication clears faster, and I wake up without a hangover. I drink purely for pleasure. While I enjoy social drinking, I am perfectly fine drinking by myself - I enjoy my own company. And Doc, thanks for turning me on to Badenhorst wines 🙂

I have newly discovered that I am most definitely a carb addict. Roller coaster of weight losses and regains since I was 16. I will be 50 soon. The ketogenic way of eating was a total life saver to me and I loved it for about 15 months and felt great, lost almost 40 pounds. Then the pandemic hit and I decided I deserved McDonald’s. One slip led to over 2 years of binging. I just thought I was a fat weird pig with no self control. Until finding your channel I seriously thought I was a lost cause. I am now 3 weeks into keto/ carnivore again and now I understand with that addictive component being fully acknowledged, that I simply can not eat garbage carb foods. At all. And if I do it is literally a relapse. I am swearing off alcohol during this phase of my journey simply because when I drink, it triggers my brain to not care about what I’m eating. I get so happy and relaxed that I lose my brains’ ability to keep that carb addiction in check. Once I’ve lived life for an extended period of time without alcohol I may sneak in some carb free alcohol drinks on occasion. But I gotta keep it out of my house cuz I don’t fully trust my relationship with it if it is easily accessible. I do not feel an addictive nature with my relationship with alcohol in and of itself. I just know I must respect it’s potential to trigger carb cravings. At least for now. I do look forward to reacquainting myself with it in a different way in the future. But if I see it triggers me in any way I will stay away from it. Great video! Very informative!!!

Dr Cywes, this is a great and practically-down-to-earth episode. Thank you! 🙌

Whenever I drink a bottle of wine... My body fat % goes down, my water % goes up. And I lose weight! 😅 So blood sugar goes down, and Insuline too? A nurse once told me that the body needs fat to process the alcohol!? Sounds like an awesome diet ✨ 🤣

This is why his my favorite doctor. First ever to talk of the subject and in a positive way. Being diabetic for 20 years ND drinking for more than that,, i have no problem with my sugar and alcohol, Prosecco, wine, whiskey and vodka, all good to go, but my favorite is Prosecco. Tks Dr

Dr., I super appreciate your candidness and honesty. I feel like I can trust every word you say. I am an addict by nature- I have had sleeve surgery- I practice IF and lowest carbs possible- and it’s videos like your last couple that really explain the problem. You are such a help to many people and I just know your presence on here will grow. People need to hear what you have to say. God Bless you and your family.

Very level headed and reasonable as usual.

Love this video! From this point on, I’ll always do a carnivore meal whenever I drink! Thanks for the awesome info! Making combos in my mind as I think of it….Thinking ribeye or prime rib + dry vodka dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives, brisket + Malbec, carnitas & carne asada with zero sugar margarita (I add a 1/2 tsp orange extract & pinch Redmond’s real salt on top)…yum! 😋

I can’t thank you enough for the time you take to make these videos and share your extensive knowledge with us. For the first time in my life I feel hope that I can heal and get free of my carb addiction. I’m eating carnivore and feel like I have a new body. I went from severe pain and frequent trips to the ER to now being pain free, happy and energetic. I had my gallbladder removed so was always fearful of fat. But instead my digestion is so much better!! I listen to your videos all day and am learning so much! Thank you again :-)

I really appreciate your assessment of the psychological aspects of alcohol consume, also your personal experience and stance with which I totally agree. This evening I grilled fresh sardines and ate 6 of them, along with a salad, no carbs. Afterwards I watched the German - Italy soccer match, and as it happened, the bottle of wine that I started while grilling the sardines ended empty … 😳😛 By the way I live in Portugal and the wine here is also exceptional, not only the South African wine … 😃 Well, the point I want to make is that even after an entire bottle of wine (I’m 59) I don’t feel physically bad, and I suspect that my very low carb food regime during the last 15 months is at least partially contributing to this “positive” effect. I don’t drink a bottle of wine on a regular basis though! And it was a really good and not cheap wine; that also contributed, for sure.

My husband and I drink kumusha red and white wine from S.Africa we absolutely love it and pretty much drink it exsculsivley. We both are very low carb mostly meat and do not have problems with high blood sugar we are in our middle 60's...thankyou for this video as it takes away the guilt for doing something we throughly enjoy together

A big reason going Carnivore. No alcohol or carbs since 17 August last year. Thx Rob.

I agree with you 100% as far as drinking for pleasure and only with others. I am one who could have the worst day ever, but not promted to have a drink. I would rather be in the company with a good friend or friends laughing it up having a relaxing evening. Do not want to drink to numb life's problems, since those will still be there regardless. Thanks for your knowledgeable videos!

Thank you for giving a really positive outlook on a healthy lifestyle

I started keto at the beginning of March. Prior to beginning this lifestyle, I really, really enjoyed drinking IPAs. Would usually have one a night, sometimes two. Since keto, I have noticed I now have really no desire to drink any alcohol. This was really not a conscious decision, but I just seemed to lose all taste. So, no IPAs since March for me, and I honestly don't miss at all, which is such a suprise for me.

I love your subtle pauses while staring into the eyes of your followers for emphasis…😆👌🏽👀

Brilliant as always 👍👍👍

Thank you for the video - much needed! I enjoy my wine on the weekends and wasn't sure how it fit into the ketogenic lifestyle. Never had an addiction issue with wine, just carbs and sugar. Definitely drink wine for the sheer enjoyment of it. BTW, my 10 year old son picked my avator.

We all have a different relationship with alcohol and it's a personal decision how we use it, for me i quit all together as i used it to suppress emotions and social situations and started to drink alone, I'm on carnivore and feel amazing, great content

Beer has a special position within the alcohol consumption perspective because of its very high carbohydrate content. I cannot see that regular beer consumption can fit in a keto environment. The other drinks are more benign. My wife and myself do whisky tasting twice a week. Comparing the different tastes enhances our lives. The same goes for wines. We follow 2 rules. Avoid beer and put predetermined limits on weekly alcohol consumption.

I needed to hear this practical advice regarding alcohol. I enjoy a glass of wine as few times a week but have always felt guilty about it. I felt like I was sabotaging my diet. I feel better now that I understand the science behind body vs alcohol. I wont feel so guilty anymore. Great education video

I say no to alcohol. I'm not an alcoholic but had many family members addicted to alcohol. I just can't see alcohol as anything anyone should ever drink. But I understand that my perspective is tainted. Still interested in what you have to say about it, doctor Cywes.

Thank you, I also love Badenhorst Secateur and Curateur as well as a lot of South African Wines. I am trying to figure out how to drink some wine while on the Ketovore ( aiming to Carnivore ) and this is very valuable information for me. I also drink for the pleasure of it, none others. Great to know about Carbs and Alcohol, will pay close attention, not that I take many carbs, but was not aware of this. Thanks for your hard work

I drink my carbs. There are several low carb beers including ipa's. Most wines are low on carbs and there are no carbs in hard alcohol. I continue to drink on keto and it has not slowed my weight loss. I have lost 50 lbs in 5 months on keto.

Also grew up in a household where alcohol was taken in moderation. Two glasses of red wine does it for me; by the way, my BP falls from around 120/70 to 110/65 and even lower after moderate consumption.

I have always said I drink for the buzz and now there are two of us who are in agreement. I would further say it was a big part of my life for that purpose. I have cut stopped over consumption and find I enjoy drinking less, more. It's still the buzz but the duration is measured in minutes rather than hours. Less can be more, who would have thunk it?

Thanks Dr Cywes. Now, I fee much better.

I think I can't drink alcohol at all. I find when I do I don't stop at one drink and I almost always eat stuff I normally wouldn't eat. Its a total dietary break for me. I even have to be very carful on the rare family occasions or I will find I have to start over.

Wonderful doctor. Love you for this explanation.

Doc, please share your wife’s crystal lite margarita recipe! Thanks for sharing all your fabulous thought-provoking content!

I found out the scary way that I can't tolerate even 1 cocktail on keto diet. My blood sugar drops about 8-10 hours later and Im so hypoglycemic that I sweat profusely, tremble, get tunnel vision and nausea until I eat something with carbs . It sabotages all my efforts to be fat adaptive and in ketosis.

Thank you for the tip. A glass of wine, for instance, with a steak, and not pizza, like I did today. That deep sleep feeling, the sugar crush, soon after.

Thank you for this discussion of alcohol. You present a new perspective to me. I think differently about it now - and I think with better understanding.

Since going carnivore I find it quite difficult to stomach alcohol these days. I find that if I don't eat a bowl of brown rice first then I get appalling acid reflux. It was actually much easier to put it down than I expected.

I know FOUR female friends who got gastric bypass surgery and 3 of them became alcoholic after the surgery

whenever I listen to explanations of how the body works and handles foods, I think, wow how can someone eat that even when I was one of those people. These explanations sound like if you eat this you're in danger instantly. Then I take a minute and look at older people and other people and think well it might be dangerous over time but this guy is 90 yrs old and still kicking eating and drinking the same way his whole life. I don't drink much anymore. cpl glasses or less of wine a week. A few very low carb and alcoholic beers. (Budweiser 55 - 55 cal, 2 carbs and 1.9% alcohol) I used to love pizza and beers. many years ago. Before I knew about Keto I had already decreased my carb and very low sugar intake by coincidence so going Keto was easy. Now its just hardcore Keto.

This is one of the most serious topics I've ever heard.

You nailed it doc,! Ilove the closing remark.

Thank you very much for this video because i feel that the use of alcohol for the reasons you describe is not really discussed . I love my white wine and bubbles. it was a very interesting angle because the good wine is definitely worth having. And i have to say if you stick with a mainly carnivore diet the wine actually does not stop you from losing weight. Sugar and carbs are actually harder to stop eating once you start.

wow. I love it when your videos validate something I am doing. Thank you truly for all the information that you share with us.

Great information. Really thought I could not enjoy some wine while doing keto carnivore. Thank you

Love South African wines. We are from Somerset West and now live in Abu Dhabi🍷🍷🥃🥃

I started the low carb lifestyle at age 61, July 2021. I Lost 45 pounds and was able to throw out my Lisinopril for blood pressure. I didn't give up my red wine or bourbon sipping during the cocktail hour before dinner. Fortunately, I'm able to have a couple of drinks before dinner and then I'm done. Bourbon is in my DNA so to speak.

excellent insight. The fermentation of carbohydrates creating ethanol was mentioned by ashsimmonds too.

I have been following you for a few years - I got lost in the slew of fasting for women books - I am finding my way back to the basics. Thank you so much.

I used to have a vodka with a slice of lime in soda water from time to time. For whatever reason last year before I went LCHF I really tapered back on alcohol and then stopped completely about 10 months ago. I don't miss it but to each their own. Things might change down the road for me but right now I just need to concentrate on getting healthy.

Thank you so much for this video. Could you point us to a video or study where we can find information on the methanol situation when consuming vegetables? It makes sense to me , I was a vegan for many years and then I switched to keto and feel so much better. Always had digestive issues when I was a vegetarian and worse when I was a raw vegan. I was also taking meds for epilepsy that didn't work that's when I learned I had refractory epilepsy and got on a keto diet and been seizure free since then.and no more bloating, tiredness after eating, etc.Thank you.

Once again, you’ve hit it out of the park. Your videos have such great value. There is so much information on KZfaq that leaves me scratching my head. But yours are concise and easy to understand (unless you are speaking with another doctor) then I have to go back and listen again. No problem. I think I’ve learned enough to put out a shingle! 😂😂

As a "starving student", alcohol was an unnecessary expense. Food, rent, etc., were paid for, not alcohol. That habit persisted.

I can relate to this video - I'm from SA and have been on many wine tours in CT and surrounds. I really enjoy my wine, tequila on ice or gin and soda, and I find that if I stay on a keto way of eating, the wine does not interfere with my diet :) Thank you for the insights - one of the best explanations I've heard :)

Brilliant video Dr...❤

I enjoy my red and white wine. I drink it for the same reasons as you Dr. I really don’t enjoy the feeling of being really drunk. I listen to my body and stop after 2. I always drink wine with dinner…. I know I’ll not feel productive the next day if I have more. I am going to look for some good South African wine next time I’m at the liquor store.

This explains a lot! I noticed during my 4 months of low carb dieting I had very low blood pressure some evenings. This had me baffled because about 80 percent of the time I only have one meal a day and it is in the evening. I expected that having a drink (non sugar) with dinner would not affect my blood sugar. After watching this I suspect the low blood pressure is being triggered by low sugar on the nights that I drink alcohol. I originally watched this to learn how bad alcohol is and wanted to know more since this doctor describes all the metabolic effects that certain things have on the body; and he didn't disappoint. It didn't go into the toxic effects as I expected but it did provide me with some reasons why I should cut back. My original concern was the impact of alcohol that may cause a fatty liver. I'm sure that if I search, I can find that subject.

Thank you for your video. I too was raised in a household where alcohol was used for pleasure and socializing. There was never any violence associated with it. I’m carnivore and if I want a drink , it will be a zero carb vodka and club soda.

Gave up alcohol to avoid breast cancer recurrence. Never drank much anyway but used to love a margarita a few times per year. My husband lost weight going low carb while drinking nightly. He did switch to a diet soda mix.

Doctor I think you came across very clearly on the relationship you should have with alcohol. It should be there to enhance your life not as a crutch or as a go to when you’re having emotional issues. Thank you for continuing to do this series. It has been so helpful to me and my wife, to achieve the objectives. that we set for us. You’re the best Doc. Your training, expertise and skill level is second to none and if anyone needs a question answered how it is to be a patient, please ask me. Dr. Cywes Skill level and knowing the newest and safest technology to perform surgery is second to none. Feel comfortable using him he can get you through whatever it is you need

Enjoyed this one, Dr. Thanks

That explains a few things, did wonder how we had evolved to metabolise alcohol. Another excellent presentation - thank you.

Thank you for this Doc. Have had to put wine aside for awhile. Just like vegetables it irritates my IBS. Staying carnivore keeps me in check

I agree with this perspective very much. I am a part of a very religious community and many people do not drink and/or criticize others who do as though anyone who drinks instantly loses control or gets drunk from 1 or 2 drinks. Or they have alcoholic family members and they want to be "opposite " of those people. Yet in both cases I have found they're absolutely addicted to something else whether it's food, control, money, being liked by everyone, or even religious zeal ( which I am not opposed to but sometimes people seem very unhappy in that place if they're doing it to be "opposite" of some hurtful person in their past). Most other Utube docs who promotes IF or LC say "Absolutely no alcohol!" which contributes to the deprivation mindset we can have when trying to lose weight or get healthy. His perspective actually frees me to drink or maybe not - as long as I check my heart and mindset first and ask "Why am I doing this?"

We're Jewish and we drink wine! I, like your wife make an incredible margarita also! I grate a cucumber and squeeze the juice out, squeeze some lime in the glass with cucumber juice and add tequila!! No need for sugary crap. BTW I just found your channel because I did a search on "fatty liver" as I think my pregnant daughter-in-law has it. I read an incredible book by Robert Lustig MD that corroborates what you say and talks about how fiber protects the liver. I wish I lived by you, I'd make an appointment!

I knew by your accent that you were South African, Great commentary, very imformative.

I love how practical you are!❤❤

Great topic. Good to know from a fellow WC South African. Thank you for this. I lean towards Carnivore

Here on vacation in Thailand i switch from beer to Hong Thong with coke zero, water and lime. Not too much, so that I can get up early and walk for over an hour. Interestingly, when walking for over an hour, i am also not that hungry. I eat 5 eggs and some bacon after the exercise and that keeps me satiated for a long time. The beer here in Thailand is not that good anyway. So when switching to something else with no carbs is fine for me. But what is also important to mix an electrolyte drink before going to bed. Including a bit of baking soda. It elevates the pH of the blood slightly which helps you burn fat

So thorough,...great explanation from a common sense approach. Thank you Dr. C!

Come visit us in Northern California. Sonoma and Napa Valley both have wonderful wineries 🍷 cheers.

Nice perspective. Badly needed. Been 25+years in the psychology industry.

I’ve given it up because I’ve been gaining weight. That hasn’t helped much so far. I actually like wine made from Hermitage (Cinsaut) grapes, which for many years was the principal variety in South Africa. It’s now rare there, as producers replanted with more popular varieties. Maybe some old vines remain?

Rather than "give it up", whatever "it" may be, CHOOSE what you want instead and then take responsibility for that choice. Then there will never be that feeling of wanting something you can't have. You yourself chose something else, because that's what you really wanted. Now you are getting what you want because you chose it. What could be better? What could be missing?

Alcohol immediately knocks me out of ketosis, many blood tests proving it.

Thank you for this video!!! South African wine is amazing…I visited many wineries when I was there. I wish we could get more of it here in Canada.

I do think being carnivore does make my tolerance of alcohol much lower tho… is that a thing ?

We hear that fructose has similar metabolic pathways to ethanol. Not very many children consume alchohol like they do fructose.

Thank you for clarifying this!!

This is an important topic and your presentation provided a great deal of clarity! There is a risk, as you said in other videos, to transfer self soothing of carbs to another drug. So we need clarity, honesty and boundaries to make sure we don’t turn to alcohol to self medicate. This was very healthy.

Short answer, alcohol is legal poison. Since I gone on a carnivore diet I became so sensitive. After one Beer I cant sleep. If I drink my health is a mess.

Fantastic video. This helped me immensely. Thank you!

Thanks for the videos they help me alot I'm ketovore i eat mostly meat a little veggies thanks for the lesson on rice potatoes and grain that's what I'm staying away from,thank you

I love alcohol, but make poor decisions when I drink it.

I was a casual/social drinker before going keto in 2018...had zero trouble giving it up entirely....if only carbs were as easy to let go for me...😭😭😭

Excellent data, refreshing perspective. ☀️

Thank you for permission. I love vodka lemon drops. I just changed my recipe. I use sugar free triple sec, 6 carbs a serving and Crystal Lite Lemonade! I’ll introduce your friends wine to my wine club!

Thank you, doc. A great explanation of a very reasonable approach. Had a little giggle at the idea of a margarita made with lemonade of any sort (sugar-free or not). Margaritas are traditionally made with lime. That said, I wouldn't balk at some crystal light spiked with tequila! It may not be a margarita, but it doesn't sound half bad! 😁

I hope that includes beer as well.. Nothing like relaxing at my favorite brewery after a long hot day at work with a cold craft brew :)

I've seen this with my CGM after drinking alcohol. My blood sugar drops and stays very low overnight.

I've been carb free for 2 months and lost 30 pounds and my muscles have grown incredibly large and strong and powerful. I drink bud light next zero carb beer. It's low alcohol 4% and I enjoy it every evening. The thing is I would rather smoke marijuana than drink. Marijuana is legal in Michigan, but I'm a commercial truck driver, and I get random drug testing, so I can't smoke. It sucks! Drinking is my only tool for relaxation, but it's definitely not the best option. I know if I stopped drinking I would most likely loose 10 more pounds and gain more muscle. Until the American government finally decides to completely decriminalize marijuana and stop drug testing truck drivers people like me will continue to drink in the evening for relaxation. Always remember to be responsible in all your decisions! Safety is the number one factor in all lifestyle choices! I can't stress that enough!