Can ‘Dry January’ Really Benefit Your Health

Here are the health benefits you can experience if you stop drinking for 31 days.

For health-conscious trendy people, the start of the new year sometimes marks the beginning of a dry January.

 

A month-long public health campaign encourages people to abstain from alcohol as a way to improve their well-being. Are There Any Real Health Benefits of Dry January? In most cases, the experts say yes, but it doesn’t have to be for everyone, It causes side effects.

America’s Recovery Centers chief scientist, Dr. “Ultimately, sober months like  January dry can be harmless for the majority of the population who do not have severe alcohol disorders,” said Denis Kariz. “Diagnosis is mild, moderate and severe. Heavy drinkers should be careful, as sudden quitting can pose very serious health risks.” 

If you are thinking of participating in his year’s ‘Dry January’, you should pay attention to your health before quitting alcohol for 31 days.

How Alcohol Affects Physical Health 

 I wouldn’t buy anything in January except to save money on all alcoholic beverages. The main health benefit you can get is avoiding unnecessary calories. According to USDA’s FoodData Central database, a can of beer contains about 154 calories and a 5 ounce of wine contains about 123 calories.

Various alcoholic beverages, such as sake, whiskey, vodka and rum, tend to contain fewer than 100 calories, but because they are audible, they can quickly build up when making cocktails

According to calorie intake estimates published by the FDA, men and women over the age of 21 can consume2,400 to 3,000  and 2,000 to 2,400 calories per day respectively, depending on how active their lifestyles are.

Avoiding alcohol can potentially improve your digestive system. Alcohol is considered a diuretic. This means that if you don’t drink enough water because of increased urination, you can become dehydrated. Moreover, a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that “excessive alcohol use” is associated with nausea, heartburn, and indigestion, including abdominal pain, abdominal pain, bloating, intestinal gas, diarrhoea and constipation.

According to the Sleep Foundation, drinking alcohol before bed can also interfere with REM sleep and have insomnia. Avoiding alcoholic beverages at night and in general can potentially provide a deeper and more stable sleep, which in turn can provide more energy during the day.

How Alcohol Affects Mental Health 

Daryl Appleton, a psychotherapist based in New York and New England, says avoiding alcohol can have a positive effect on your mental health.

“Who is that person, their history  and their drinking intentions  for the rest of the year will determine the impact on their overall health.”

She continues, “On the positive side, resting the body and brain from alcohol can potentially reduce cortisol levels and the stress it puts on the system, allowing for relaxation and recovery. Because alcohol is a sedative, taking a break can tell you whether alcohol is masking or contributing to emotional symptoms such as patches, exacerbating anger, sadness, and isolation.”

Appleton adds that sober months like Dry January help people rate their attitudes to alcohol.

“In contrast, in people with alcohol use disorders, it is clear that stopping a cold can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, seizures, and even death,” Appleton warned. “It’s important to understand your attitude toward alcohol  before you decide to suddenly stop.”