Alcohol plays such a large part of our social culture here in the UK and over the last couple of years particularly, many of us admitted to drinking more than we should to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stress, anxiety and boredom the pandemic caused us through lockdown, educating our children and working from home meant that turning to alcohol at the end of each day became common for a lot of us.
With one in five of us saying we’re actively taking part in Dry January to reduce our alcohol intake, we wanted to take a look at how alcohol affects us, and how Dry January can help with your New Year’s weight loss resolution and more!
Drinking Damage
If you already drink regularly, there is already a chance that you could be doing damage to your body, even if you don’t realise it.
Consuming over the recommended daily intake of alcohol can cause many health complications. It may also be the reason for tiredness, depression, poor sleep and memory loss.
Alcohol is linked with more than 60 health conditions, including liver disease, high blood pressure, depression and seven types of cancer.
In fact, alcohol is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability for people aged 15-49 in the UK. Cutting back on alcohol long-term reduces your risk of developing these conditions.
Trying Teetotal
After a couple of years where we may have seen our alcohol consumption rise, January is a perfect time to give your body, and even your purse strings a rest for 31 days!
Not sure how much alcohol you consume?
Find out just how much alcohol you are consuming each week, you can use a unit calculator here. As well as this, the calculator also tells you how many calories and ££ you will save over the course of the month, just by going dry!
Health and Weight Loss Benefits
Within just a few days, you will see almost immediate improvements in:
- Your skin getting brighter
- Your wallet will be fuller
- Feel yourself feeling fresher in the mornings
- Your mind will be calmer
- You will get more restful sleep
A month alcohol-free has a lot of physical health benefits too!
Research published in 2018, conducted by the Royal Free Hospital and published in the British Medical Journal, found that just 30 days off alcohol can help:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce diabetes risk
- Lower cholesterol
- Reduce levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood
Additionally, lots of people who have previously participated in the drink-free month have claimed that the break from alcohol gave them the opportunity to reassess their drinking habits, form a new relationship with alcohol and thus reduce their weekly consumption in the long term.
Could You Go Dry?
Are you shocked by the benefits of giving up alcohol for just 31 days?
Are you taking part in Dry January?
Would you like more support in reducing your alcohol consumption and improving your health and perhaps losing some weight along the way?
Our weight loss doctors and experts are here to help with just that.