Did you give Dry January a go this year? Anyone who tries it knows about the outstanding health benefits of quitting alcohol.
Many public figures have recently made it clear that they are giving up alcohol in pursuit of a healthier life.
To inspire you to stay on the alcohol-free path, we’ve put together five of the best health benefits of giving up the drinking lifestyle…
1. Improved Sleep
Cutting out alcohol can help you to get a better night’s sleep, so you feel less tired and more energised. This is because alcohol interrupts the regular sleeping pattern and makes you miss the critical rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
During a typical night’s sleep, you will have six and seven cycles of REM sleep a night. However, you typically only have one or two when drinking.
By avoiding alcohol, you can improve your sleep REM cycles at night, and this will also improve your sleeping patterns in the long run.
2. Better Hydration
Regularly drinking alcohol can leave your body dehydrated and suffering from banging headaches.
When you drink alcohol, you may lose around four times as much liquid as what you consumed.
The headaches you may experience the following day as part of an alcoholic hangover happen because your organs are taking water from the brain due to their water loss.
Giving up alcohol can also enhance your mood and concentration and even decrease the frequency of headaches.
3. Reduced Blood Pressure
Cutting back on alcohol is one of the best measures you can take to reduce blood pressure.
When alcohol is repeatedly used, elevated blood pressure can become chronic, leading to long-term high blood pressure.
In severe cases, drinking alcohol can trigger alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), which causes the heart to swell and to lose the ability to pump blood around the body.
Cutting out alcohol can reduce your chances of this happening, so you can achieve better heart health.
4. Improved Immune System
When you quit alcohol, it can improve your immune system, which can also give your liver a break. Your liver contains many immune cells, so that will benefit too.
Liver function dramatically increases when you remove alcohol from your diet, even for just a month. Giving your liver a break from alcohol also gives your body a better chance of converting food nutrients, storing minerals and vitamins and removing contaminants.
We recommend taking a potent herbal blend to support healthy liver function and digestive cleansing as part of your daily routine.
5.You’ll Look and Feel Better
Quitting alcohol has fantastic benefits for your skin because it increases hydration in the body. This can help your skin’s complexion to look and feel better.
Giving up alcohol can also support your weight loss goals. Alcoholic drinks such as beer contain an average of 208 calories, while a glass of wine may have 83 calories. Many people also find themselves eating junk food after a night of heavy drinking – often choosing a pizza or a kebab, for example.
Cutting out alcohol may help you consume less unhealthy food and drink –overall, this will help improve your appearance.
Convinced? Why not try our top nutrient recommendations to detox beyond Dry January and support your liver health all year round…
Recommended Examples from our sponsor,
Good Health Naturally
Liver Balance Plus™
A potent Chinese herbal formula. Recommended for supporting and maintaining liver balance. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
The Essential Liver Support Pack
Serranol®
An essential combination of four nutrients, Serrapeptase 160,000IU, Curcuminx4000, 50mg Ecklonia Cava Extract, and Vitamin D3 1000IU. Recommended for general anti-inflammatory support. Phthalate-free, with no unnecessary fillers or binders. Suitable for vegetarians. 90 vegetable capsules.
Alpha Lipoic Acid ‘R’
This naturally occurring antioxidant protects against liver damage. It is recommended for pancreatic function, average blood sugar balance and endocrine function. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 60 vegetable capsules.
SAM-e Plus+™
S-adenosyl-l-methionine is decisive in liver health, amongst other bodily processes. It is recommended for optimal mood balancing and healthy joint support—60 vegetable capsules.
Liposomal B4 Health™
Powerful liposomal B Vitamin formula for optimum energy production. Research suggests that Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid may have the potential to positively impact liver health, precisely when it comes to individuals with fatty liver disease. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 120ml.
