
Can’t Stop Overeating? THIS Could Be WHY
A clever patient recently asked me, “We use rubbing alcohol to kill germs and clean surfaces. So, does drinking alcohol hurt the good bacteria living in my intestines?”
It might seem like an odd question, at first.
However, it reveals a remarkable intuition about how drinking alcohol and disinfecting alcohol could impact microscopic lifeforms.
And as it turns out, he was onto something.
When you drink adult beverages like wine, beer, or liquor, roughly 20 percent of that alcohol swiftly enters your bloodstream.
But the remaining 80 percent takes a journey through your digestive tract. The alcohol creates an acidic and inflammatory environment along the way, which is NOT good for your overall health.
And the damage doesn’t end there.
Our gastrointestinal tracts are filled with trillions of bacteria that play crucial roles in digestion, immunity, and even mental health. This community of microorganisms is called our gut microbiome.
When you drink alcohol, some bacteria thrive in this new acidic habitat, while others struggle to survive.
As a result, just a few days of heavy drinking can substantially ALTER your microbial makeup, leading to far less diversity (fewer species of bacteria).
One study found that just one week of excessive alcohol use drastically cut the number of different species by up to 40 percent!
This is bad news because a diverse microbiome is a healthy microbiome. And this loss of diversity impairs its abilities and allows HARMFUL bacteria to dominate.
Certain species tend to benefit from the boozy landscape in your intestines. For example, Akkermansia muciniphila levels rapidly increase with alcohol intake.
This bacterium specializes in consuming the vital mucus that protects your GI lining. And an overgrowth allows greater access to the intestinal wall, which can lead to inflammation or leakage.
But it gets worse. Gut microbes can trigger overeating and influence food cravings. In fact, booze-loving Akkermansia can stimulate cravings for MORE alcohol, creating a vicious cycle.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that your microbiome is more resilient than it’s often given credit for… and balance CAN be restored.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of prebiotic and probiotic foods can help repopulate your gut with friendly bacteria.
- Get plenty of prebiotic-rich fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Eat more probiotic-rich fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, and kefir.
- Limit or avoid alcohol.
- Stay hydrated to facilitate healing.
- Take a daily prebiotic and probiotic supplement.
My clever patient’s hunch highlighted something that some of us NEVER learn. While an occasional drink may not cause lasting damage, excessive alcohol is UNHEALTHY… and it definitely disturbs your gut bug balance.
P.S. The BIG prune benefit you should know about (it’s NOT what you think).

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...