‘Not drinking alcohol for a month.’ For people who enjoy drinking, it is something they would rather not even imagine. However, if you are concerned about your health, it is worth trying at least once. The benefits that one month of abstinence can bring to the body are considerable, more than many people might expect.
The first is liver recovery. As is widely known, excessive drinking is a direct or indirect cause of numerous liver diseases. According to research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, about 90% of heavy drinkers develop some form of alcohol-related liver disease, while 20% to 40% experience alcoholic hepatitis, in which the liver is damaged and becomes inflamed. In other words, simply stopping drinking can significantly reduce the risk of developing these problems. Dr. Ann Larson of the Liver Disease Clinic at Washington University Medical Center in the United States said in an interview with the local outlet Verywell Health, “When people stop drinking for a short period, liver cells can recover from the ongoing toxic damage caused by alcohol.”
Improved metabolic health can also be expected. According to a study published in the international academic journal BMJ Open in 2018, when adults who usually drank alcohol abstained for a month, insulin resistance decreased by 25.9%, while systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 6.6% and 6.3%, respectively. Body weight also decreased by 1.5%, while ALT and GGT, indicators related to liver function, fell by approximately 15% and 29%, respectively.
Alcohol affects not only the liver but also the gut. It can irritate the gastrointestinal lining, cause inflammation and alter the gut microbiome. Frequent heavy drinking is also a cause of various digestive symptoms, including heartburn. Fortunately, these symptoms may improve relatively quickly when people stop drinking. Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian in the United States, said, “When alcohol consumption stops, the digestive system recovers quickly,” adding, “After about a week, the lining will begin to recover, and heartburn symptoms will also decrease or disappear.”
After the liver and digestive system comes the brain. Alcohol consumption affects the nervous system and can increase the risk of stroke and brain damage. Drinking is also known to be associated with reduced impulse control. In fact, whether a person retains the ability to control impulses is one of the important criteria used when determining whether someone has alcohol dependence. Dr. Larson said, “If you do not drink for 30 days, your brain and thought processes may become clearer,” adding, “If hydration improves after abstaining from alcohol, it may also benefit overall health, including brain function.”
For people who enjoy drinking, one month of abstinence may feel like a long time. If the idea seems completely overwhelming, trying to reduce alcohol consumption for a month is also an option. Dr. Travis Glassman of the Department of Public Health at the University of Toledo in the United States said, “Many people habitually engage in certain behaviors without even recognizing why or when they do them,” adding, “Simply recording your daily alcohol consumption for a month can help reduce the amount you drink.”
The first is liver recovery. As is widely known, excessive drinking is a direct or indirect cause of numerous liver diseases. According to research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, about 90% of heavy drinkers develop some form of alcohol-related liver disease, while 20% to 40% experience alcoholic hepatitis, in which the liver is damaged and becomes inflamed. In other words, simply stopping drinking can significantly reduce the risk of developing these problems. Dr. Ann Larson of the Liver Disease Clinic at Washington University Medical Center in the United States said in an interview with the local outlet Verywell Health, “When people stop drinking for a short period, liver cells can recover from the ongoing toxic damage caused by alcohol.”
Improved metabolic health can also be expected. According to a study published in the international academic journal BMJ Open in 2018, when adults who usually drank alcohol abstained for a month, insulin resistance decreased by 25.9%, while systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 6.6% and 6.3%, respectively. Body weight also decreased by 1.5%, while ALT and GGT, indicators related to liver function, fell by approximately 15% and 29%, respectively.
Alcohol affects not only the liver but also the gut. It can irritate the gastrointestinal lining, cause inflammation and alter the gut microbiome. Frequent heavy drinking is also a cause of various digestive symptoms, including heartburn. Fortunately, these symptoms may improve relatively quickly when people stop drinking. Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian in the United States, said, “When alcohol consumption stops, the digestive system recovers quickly,” adding, “After about a week, the lining will begin to recover, and heartburn symptoms will also decrease or disappear.”
After the liver and digestive system comes the brain. Alcohol consumption affects the nervous system and can increase the risk of stroke and brain damage. Drinking is also known to be associated with reduced impulse control. In fact, whether a person retains the ability to control impulses is one of the important criteria used when determining whether someone has alcohol dependence. Dr. Larson said, “If you do not drink for 30 days, your brain and thought processes may become clearer,” adding, “If hydration improves after abstaining from alcohol, it may also benefit overall health, including brain function.”
For people who enjoy drinking, one month of abstinence may feel like a long time. If the idea seems completely overwhelming, trying to reduce alcohol consumption for a month is also an option. Dr. Travis Glassman of the Department of Public Health at the University of Toledo in the United States said, “Many people habitually engage in certain behaviors without even recognizing why or when they do them,” adding, “Simply recording your daily alcohol consumption for a month can help reduce the amount you drink.”