Embarking on an alcohol-free journey can be a transformative experience, not just for your mind but also for your body. Whether you’re considering a temporary break or a long-term change, understanding the physical benefits of reducing alcohol intake is crucial. In this post, we’ll delve into eight significant changes that occur in your body when you stop drinking alcohol.

From enhanced hydration and better sleep to improved digestion and skin health, the benefits are numerous and profound. We’ll explore how ditching alcohol can lead to a stronger immune system, a more stable mood, and even weight loss.

Join us as we unfold these fascinating insights, and discover how choosing alcohol-free alternatives can be a rewarding step towards a healthier lifestyle. Let’s raise a glass (of non-alcoholic wine, of course) to better health and well-being!

If you are interested in dealcoholized wine, or no or low alcohol alternatives, reach out to the experts at BevZero. We offer our expertise, products, services, and proprietary dealcoholization processes and equipment to companies worldwide.

What is Dry January?

What better way to start a new year by abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the year? Dry January is a 30-day sobriety challenge. It starts on the first day of the new year, January 1st, and ends on the last day of January. The initiative was launched by Alcohol Change in 2013, however, the idea was actually born in 1942 when the Finnish government launched a campaign named “Raitis Januar” or Sober January.

In 2013, 4,000 people participated in the initiative. Since then the number of participants in the initiative has consistently increased. In 2023, over 175k people participated in Dry January. From weight loss to improved mood and energy levels and sleep quality, there are several documented health benefits of Dry January.

What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Drinking?

When a person stops drinking, their body starts healing. As a result, your physical and mental health improves. If you are unsure if you want to give up alcohol, but like the sound of these benefits, why not give dealcoholized wine a try? Dealcoholized wine is a wine that has had the alcohol content removed. You get the same great taste, without the unwanted side effects.

Here are some more health benefits that happen when you stop consuming alcohol.

Improved Hydration and Kidney Health

Water isn’t called the elixir of life for no reason. Almost every part of the body needs water to carry out essential bodily functions. Water lubricates our joints and helps regulate body temperature.

Alcohol is a diuretic. It causes antidiuretic hormone levels in the body to drop. As a result, you urinate more and your kidneys retain less water. When you stop drinking alcohol, your ADH levels are restored, and your kidneys expel only excess water. You retain more fluids and stay hydrated throughout the day. Proper hydration reduces the strain on your kidneys, helping keep them healthy.

Better Sleep Quality

Several amazing things happen when you sleep. During deep sleep, your body repairs damaged muscles, cells, and organs. Studies associate poor sleep with many chronic problems such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes. Adults, teens, and children who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to injuries.

Although alcohol might help some people fall asleep faster, it often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to poor quality of sleep. Alcohol is a depressant and can throw your sleep cycle off balance. Studies also show that insomnia is common among heavy drinkers. When you stop drinking, you sleep more deeply. As your sleep quality improves, you wake up feeling sharper and refreshed in the morning.

Weight Loss

Alcoholic beverages are laden with empty calories. A serving of regular beer has almost 150 calories, while a glass of beer has 120 calories. Moreover, alcohol increases appetite and makes you more impulsive. As a result, you may end up making unhealthy food choices. By cutting down on alcohol, you can decrease your calorie intake and potentially lose weight.

Improved Liver Health

Alcohol can lead to liver damage.  Every time a person’s liver filters alcohol, some liver cells die. Though the liver can heal itself, prolonged alcohol misuse can affect its ability to develop new, healthy cells. When a person stops drinking, their liver gets an opportunity to recover and regenerate. This reduces the risk of liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Healthier Skin

Alcohol can dehydrate one’s skin, making it look dull and lifeless. It can also affect the skin’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to rashes and poor skin texture. No wonder many people who drink alcohol too much or too often experience premature skin aging. By giving up alcohol, you can keep your skin hydrated all year round.

Better Immune System Function

Alcohol can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, affecting your immune system. A weakened immune system fails to protect your body from external invaders, leaving you extremely vulnerable to infections. Once you stop drinking, your body can allocate the available resources more efficiently to fight off infections. As the immune system recovers and can keep germs/invaders out of your body, your overall health improves.

Improved Heart Health

In people who drink to excess, alcohol produces lots of free radicals, oxidizing bad cholesterol or LDL. As LDL oxidizes, it deposits on the carotid arteries, leading to blockages. Studies show that alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, increasing one’s risk of heart disease. When you quit alcohol, your blood pressure reduces and your cardiovascular health improves.

Improved Mental Health

Alcohol can affect your mental health, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. If you want to improve your brain health, stop drinking. Continued abstinence can help improve your decision-making, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills.

BevZero is a leading producer of no and low alcoholic beverages. We are thought leaders in the industry and proudly support those that want to live an alcohol free life. Our dealcoholized beverages are produced in our state-of-the-art production facility under strict supervision and meet high-quality standards. To learn more, use the online form to contact us.