
Mailbag: 3 “Cocktail Companions” to Safely Ring in the New Year
“I don’t usually drink alcohol. But I’m going to a New Year’s party and might have a few drinks.
Can I do anything to make them less harmful to my health?”
-Cheering In the New Year
Hi Cheering,
As you prepare for your New Year’s celebration tonight, you may be looking forward to raising a glass with friends and family.
After all, while we know that the safest choice is to avoid alcohol, ringing in the New Year with a drink is a tradition many of us enjoy.
The good news is, if you do choose to occasionally indulge in alcohol, you can help protect your health with some simple supplement interventions.
Scientists have identified three key nutrients that can help your body better handle those celebratory drinks.
You can think of them as your “cocktail companions.” However, they’d also be great additions to your regular supplement routine, not just when you’re planning to drink.
First up is our old friend vitamin C.
This powerful antioxidant does more than just boost your immune system… C helps combat the oxidative stress that alcohol can cause in your liver. Consider it like adding a shield to your body’s natural defenses.
The second helper, which might surprise you, is probiotics.
While we typically associate these beneficial bacteria with digestive health, research suggests they may also help your body process alcohol more efficiently. They can speed up the clearance of alcohol from your bloodstream and reduce harmful byproducts that occur when your body breaks down alcohol.
Completing the protective trio are B vitamins, particularly B1, B6, and B12.
When, bundled together, these vitamins are known as a B-complex. They’re your body’s recovery team, supporting better cognitive function after drinking and helping ease those morning-after effects.
They’ve also been linked to lower levels of homocysteine, a compound that can increase cardiovascular risks.
But here’s the crucial part…
While these supplements might offer some protection, they’re not a free pass to overindulge. Think of them as a safety belt—helpful in reducing risk, but NOT a license to drive recklessly.
This trio is best viewed as part of a broader approach to drinking responsibly, which includes:
- Staying well hydrated
- Eating before and while drinking
- Pacing yourself
- Setting clear limits before you start
As you plan your New Year’s celebrations, remember that these nutritional strategies can be part of your healthy approach to occasional drinking, but they don’t make excessive alcohol consumption safe.
The best gift you can give yourself this New Year is moderation—whether that means limiting your drinks or choosing not to drink at all.
Cheers to making informed, healthy choices as we welcome the New Year!
P.S. Helpful hangover cures to ring in the New Year.

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 Does Scratching Feel So Good… If It’s So Bad?
You know that feeling—you get an itch, and no matter how much you try to ignore it, it takes over your brain until you finally give in. You scratch… and for a blissful moment, relief washes over you. But then, BAM! The itch comes back, angrier than ever. Sound familiar? Turns out, there’s a scientific...
Break Free from Back Pain NATURALLY
“I’m having lower back pain on both my left and right side. They have tried steroid injections, physical therapy, and dry needle injections and nothing seems to work. Any ideas that you might suggest?” —Still Aching Dear Aching, It’s incredibly frustrating when conventional pain treatments don’t provide the relief you’re seeking. When my patients struggle...
This Afternoon Beverage Break SLASHES Diabetes Risk
If you’re like most folks (and certain newsletter-writing doctors), you probably reach for another cup of coffee when the afternoon slump hits. Well, new research suggests switching your afternoon beverage choice could do more than keep you alert… it could shield you from type 2 diabetes. In fact, this simple drink swap could slash your...
Nightly "Brainwashing" Protects Your Memory
Think skipping sleep is no big deal? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals that deep sleep does more than just help you feel refreshed. Another CRITICAL memory-preserving process is taking place behind the scenes. But here’s the concerning part… If you’re taking a sleeping pill, you might be blocking this crucial step. Here’s what you need...
The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain
Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate? The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love. However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage. And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine… A disturbing new study published in Brain,...
One Move Adds 5 YEARS to Your Life
Believe it or not, the fountain of youth might be closer than you think… A groundbreaking study reveals that a simple activity you’ve been doing since you were a toddler could add YEARS to your life. And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime… New research published in the British Journal of Sports...
Walking Trick Reveals Your Fitness Level
We count on doctors to tell us how healthy we are. They take our blood pressure, listen to our hearts, and send us out for blood work to get the answer. But there’s something else you can do anytime you want to know your fitness level: walk a mile. That’s right, this simple activity you...
This Diet Trick Could Protect Your Brain for LIFE
You know the saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, when it comes to your brain, it’s more accurate than you think… New research suggests that a Mediterranean diet—an ancient way of eating that prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods—may protect your brain’s white matter. And that’s a big deal because white matter is critical in keeping...
Mailbag: The REAL Reason You Can’t Lose Weight
“Why can’t I lose 10 pounds? I tried many versions of diets. Low Carb, intermittent fasting, etc.” Struggling to Slim Down Dear Struggling, Losing weight, especially when we’re past our 20s, can be frustrating. A muscle mass issue is most likely the culprit behind those struggles to slim down. You see, as we age, we...
Can Eating at the RIGHT Time Protect You from Diabetes?
When it comes to managing your health, when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. Now, a growing body of research shows that time-restricted eating (TRE), or intermittent fasting, may improve several markers of health… Particularly for people with metabolic syndrome. Before we dive into the benefits of time-restricted eating, let’s...