Low-alcohol drinks may have some surprising fringe benefits – Hayley Matthews

I recently received feedback from an acupuncturist that my liver is a bit stressed and he advised me on how any additional stresses (especially alcohol) would just be adding to my already tired and sluggish liver.
Hayley Matthews has discovered some intriguing low-alcohol alternatives to wine (Picture: Cathal McNaughton/PA WireHayley Matthews has discovered some intriguing low-alcohol alternatives to wine (Picture: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire
Hayley Matthews has discovered some intriguing low-alcohol alternatives to wine (Picture: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire

"Drinking is the worst thing you can do to your body right now," he told me. So, taking heed of his advice, I've been trying low-alcohol alternatives.

I have been really tired recently but put it down to doing jack all in lockdown, not drinking a few glasses of Prosecco of a night.

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So after researching some background on alcohol-free drinks with added benefits I started looking into lower alcohol fizz.

It took me a few goes to find a decent replacement but I've been pleasantly surprised with one that Jane Parkinson from Saturday Kitchen has been raving about called Wild Life Botanicals.

Their bottles of low-alcohol wine (0.5 per cent ABV and with over 60 per cent fewer calories than Champagne or Prosecco) has been a great find.

I've read lots about alcohol alternatives going one step further and giving extra benefit like vitamins and this one doesn't disappoint.

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There are eight vitamins, minerals and five botanicals which is a lot more pleasant than popping a Berocca before bed! Damiana is said to be an ancient aphrodisiac so I can imagine it will be popular this Valentine's Day.

If you've done a successful dry January, then hats off to you.

I'm only just trying the low alcohol way and Mr Hayley is pleased about the "mood boosting" benefits of wild botanicals.

However, given what they say about the aphrodisiac effect, I’ll be keeping the bottle well out of his reach cause I can feel a headache coming on!

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