The four drinks that could make your vitamins, minerals and antibiotics ineffective

Oral administration is the easiest and most common way to take medications, so why are so many of us getting it wrong? While swallowing vitamins, minerals and antibiotics might seem straightforward, the way you choose to flush them into your system could make them ineffective. Taking over the counter and prescribed medications properly should always start with a simple read of the instructions, but what else should you do to maximise the health benefits? Express.co.uk spoke to Shona Wilkinson, Registered nutritionist consultant at Nutrigums to find out.

Taking oral medication is a part of everyday life for the majority of Britons, whether it be a vitamin tablet or daily medication used to control a long-term condition.

While some pharmaceutical products will have specific warnings regarding the use of food or alcohol while taking them, most products offer more vague advice.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Registered nutritionist consultant Shona Wilkinson said: “If you don’t take over-the-counter supplements how they are described, this might affect how well you absorb the nutrients in supplements, meaning you might not see the desired results.

“With medication, you should always take GP advice and follow the instructions labelled in order to reduce any side effects such as stomach irritation and any other more serious side effects.”

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Alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking oral vitamin supplements such as folic acid, zinc, thiamin, and vitamin B1 will prevent the body from absorbing these essential nutrients and minerals.

According to Keeley Berry, a nutrition expert at Better You, B-vitamins are most at risk of depletion and those that have a high alcohol consumption are very likely to become deficient.

Keeley told Express.co.uk: “Vitamin B12 in particular, is known to support cognitive function, making us feel switched-on and able to focus.

“So, as alcohol consumption contributes to the depletion of B12 in the body, we can begin to feel what’s known as ‘brain fog’.”

While taking vitamins with alcohol will make your supplements ineffective, the effects of alcohol with antibiotics can be much worse.

Shona said: “You should generally not drink alcohol with antibiotics as this can cause dizziness and drowsiness.

“In more serious cases some antibiotics can cause a reaction such as nausea and vomiting so I would strongly advise against mixing alcohol when on medication such as this.”

What is the most effective way to take vitamins and minerals?

Oral supplements can be highly effective when taken correctly, but is it really the best way to increase your intake?

Shona said: “We always say food first but sometimes you just don’t get enough nutrients through food alone.

“There are many instances where people are deficient – for instance, women often suffer from anemia due to the loss of red blood cells during the menstrual cycle – this can require suitable iron intake to ensure you don’t suffer from the long-term effects of fatigue, low blood pressure, and pale skin.”

Many people who follow a plant-based diet find themselves short on essential vitamins such as iron and Vitamin B12, which are found in eggs and meat, so a plant-based supplement can help them to source this elsewhere.

Shona added: “It is advisable to take a multivitamin and mineral regularly as well as a Vitamin D supplement in winter, and depending on any health condition you want to address, you can add on to these.”