New year, new you?
So, why isDry Januarya thing?
For starters, the COVID pandemic turnedlockdown stressinto a mixology hobby for many of us.
Breaking up with your favorite drink, even for a little while, might be a big ask.
But the potential health benefits do make a strong case.
What are the short-term health benefits of Dry January?
licensed professional counselor and director of Texas Christian University Counseling and Mental Health
It might be more than just bragging rights.
Even those who didnt finish the challenge saw some improvements.
Lets break downsome of the short-term perksof Dry January.
Improved blood pressure
What feels like a relaxing evening drink might be working against your health.
It can also tighten your blood vessels, making them narrower.
Weight loss
Alcoholic drinks pack a hefty caloric punch and can change your bodys metabolism.
Those extra calories also have little to no nutritional value.
Skip the booze, and you might just see the number on your scale start to drop.
But ensure youre not swapping that wine for sugary mocktails or high-calorie alternatives.
licensed professional counselor and director of Texas Christian University Counseling and Mental Health
Its not just you, and theres a reason for that.
Alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and boost acid production, explains Dr. Issac.
But the effects go beyond just theburning sensation.
Taking a month off alcohol gives yourdigestive system a chance to restore itselfand rebuild those protective barriers.
Potentially less heartburn, smoother digestion, and agut that feels much happieroverall.
Glowing skin
Put that pricey serum down.
Your skin might just need a booze-free breather.
Alcoholcan dehydrateyour body, leaving your skin parched, dull, and less elastic.
Just a few days without alcohol can give your brain a chance to reset.
But what happens in the long run?
Lets look at some benefits when you make lasting changes to your drinking habits.
Good news: the liver has an incredible ability to heal itself.
Reduced cancer risk
Its not just liver cancer.
Skipping the alcohol can help reduce these risks, Dr. Reau notes.
But it may take a long time to experience these effects, particularly if you drink frequently.
Healthier heart and lowered risk of stroke
Remember those blood pressure benefits we mentioned?
Thats just the beginning of what your heart stands to gain.
However, when you reduce your alcohol intake, youre helping more than your blood pressure.
Chronic alcohol use canweaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections, Dr. Burton explains.
This immune-suppressing effect hits especially hard during cold and flu season.
Dr. Burton explains that alcohol can change the brains chemistry, potentially worsening these mental health conditions over time.
In some cases, this can add up to hundreds of dollars a month.
Is one month away from alcohol enough?
The short answer is yes.
But heres the thing: the benefits may vary depending on your usual drinking habits and patterns.
Research backs this up.
Okay, but how much alcohol is too much?
Still, many people underestimate how much they actually drink, Dr. Burton explains.
At 8 or 9 percent alcohol, one might count that as two regular beers.
And those generous pours of spirits?
Unless youre measuring, you might be getting more than the standard 1.5 ounces.
What matters most is to do so mindfully and in moderation.
One drink doesnt erase your progress, so dust yourself off and pick up where you left off.
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