What are the benefits for the body?
Weight loss. Alcohol is a source of calories that the body metabolizes first. This temporarily halts fat burning. The problem worsens when alcohol is mixed with sugary drinks, as the calorie count increases and further stimulates the body. People who drink alcohol regularly tend to gain weight more easily.
Sleep better. Reducing alcohol consumption improves sleep quality. Alcohol causes periods of wakefulness (especially during the second half of the night) that disrupt sleep and prevent the body from resting properly. The sleep cycle is disrupted, leading to headaches, sweating, and snoring.
Feel better. In the moment, alcohol can provide a sense of relief, a way to distance oneself from problems, and produce a calming, soothing effect. But this feeling of improvement fades quickly and can exacerbate underlying depression. Alcohol has depressant effects linked to its interference with the functioning of several neurotransmitters in the body.
Should we give up the bottle?
In 2014, a study by the University of Sussex (UK) on the effects of Dry January showed that abstaining from alcohol is beneficial to the body, even for a short period. Seventy-one percent of participants reported sleeping better, 58% lost weight, and 54% noticed an improvement in their skin. Additional benefits: 88% said they saved money, and 71% realized they didn’t need to drink alcohol to have a good time.
Contact our nutrition department to learn more about the effects of alcohol and the benefits of abstinence.