These month-long breaks from drinking are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, more than a third (35%) of US adults of legal drinking age participated in Dry January in 2022. That’s according to CGA, a company that researches food and drink. Important benefits, however, are also available to those who give up alcohol for shorter periods.
Also, alcohol prevents the normal metabolism of vitamins and minerals that can help protect the body against toxic compounds and promote healthy cell repair. Alcohol also increases estrogen levels, which explains why it’s been linked to an increase in uterine and breast cancers. If you are struggling with your alcohol intake and feel it is impacting your life, you should consult your GP, who can arrange a treatment plan. They https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can refer you to alcohol support groups and for courses of therapy. They can also perform health checks to assess the effects of drinking on your body and help you cut down safely and effectively. He explains that many people know about the health risks of alcohol – which include seven forms of cancer, liver disease, and mental health problems – but are often unaware that drinking less has more immediate benefits too.
Can cutting out alcohol bring about health benefits?
Write down how much to drink, when you drink and – how about this question – why do you drink? I order a mocktail when I meet people for drinks because it feels good to sip a drink that has an air of indulgence to it. The action also helps reduce any worry of being interrogated by strangers about why I’m not drinking (it happens all too often) because mocktails look just like cocktails. Quitting can still be tough (if it weren’t, drying out for a month wouldn’t be offered up as a challenge). We compiled a list of mental health experts’ and registered dietitians’ tips for how to get started going sober.
- If you’re not sure if your drinking crosses a certain line or not, try measuring your alcohol intake.
- “[The bottom line] is, protect the heart with [a] low amount of alcohol, but increase the risk of cardiovascular disease with high amount of alcohol,” Dasgupta said.
- It can cause memory loss and interference with brain development.
- It’s important not to displace the alcohol from non-drinking days into the rest of the week.
Symptoms can range from headache, elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and nausea and vomiting to tremors, hallucination and in severe cases death. As shown in a 2019 study, giving up drinking for just one month can have a positive impact on your health — and not just in the short-term. Going on an alcohol fast can help you lose weight, get clearer skin, save money, and drink more water, as well as potentially lead to a decrease in your alcohol consumption throughout the rest of the year. Can get your blood to circulate better and your skin to look better, which is a marker for general overall health," says Arwen Podesta, a New Orleans-based physician who specializes in addiction recovery. Some people notice significant changes when they stop drinking.
Ketone drinks: a buzzy and safe alcohol-alternative?
Your liver has enzymes that work like special tools to help metabolize (break down) different toxins that enter your body, such as alcohol. In general, alcohol hampers your immune system, making you more likely to get sick than if you weren’t drinking, says George F. Koob, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Abuse and Alcoholism. Ruddiness in your cheeks and around your nose may also start to fade, and other skin conditions—such as dandruff, eczema, or rosacea—may also improve, Dr. Raskin says.
Other studies, such as this one from 2022, have found similar results, showing no health benefits of consuming alcohol in moderation for people under 40, only risks. If you’re trying to lose weight, cutting back on alcohol will help. Join Club Soda for 10% off your first order of drinks for UK delivery. Plus get our latest news and special offers for members to choose better drinks, change your drinking and connect with others. I’ve never been wildly excited about the official guidelines for safer drinking. Dru Jaeger is one of Club Soda’s co-founders and the author of How to Be a Mindful Drinker.
Will I experience withdrawal symptoms if I stop drinking?
In this week’s blog, Dru considers the benefits of taking a weekend off drinking, and how it can help if you are moderating or thinking about going alcohol-free. “A monthlong break from alcohol can help you realize you can relax, socialize taking a break from alcohol or handle stress without alcohol,” he says. First, women generally have more body fat than men, and alcohol isn’t absorbed into fat. Therefore, if a man and woman both have two drinks, a woman’s blood alcohol content will be higher.
