The surprising benefits of Dry January and all the ways it affects your body revealed

MILLIONS of Brits have pledged to ditch the booze this January.

Countless studies have already shown links between excessive drinking and cancers, heart failure and diabetes, among other chronic health issues.

AlamySkipping that nightcap can also do wonders for your skin, experts have said[/caption]

It’s no wonder, then, that so many are trying to cut out the pub this dry Jan.

But does a month of sobriety really make any noticeable difference to health – or are habitual drinkers simply kidding themselves?

A sober month may not just benefit your physical health, but can improve your mental health too, experts have said.

1. Reduces anxiety

Consuming alcohol can increase the risk of mental illness – every heard or a little thing called hangxiety…?

Signe Svanfeldt, lead nutritionist at Lifesum told the Sun: “By reducing alcohol consumption you might notice a shift in your overall mental wellness, and feel more positive and less anxious.”

2. Improved sleep

You’ll wake up feeling a lot less tired and more energised after a week away from alcohol.

This is because alcohol interrupts your normal sleep pattern and makes your miss the important rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

According to experts at The Priory Group, while you’re supposed to have between six and seven cycles of REM sleep a night, you typically only have one or two when you’ve been drinking.

By cutting out alcohol you’ll avoid this and get an additional five to six REM cycles a night.

GP Doctor Preethi Daniel from London Doctors Clinic previously told the Sun that giving up alcohol will also improve your sleeping pattern in the long run.

3. Weight loss

Alcohol increases your daily calorie intake.

One pint of beer contains an average of 208 calories while a glass of wine may contain 83 calories.

Signe said: “If you have consumed alcohol on a regular basis previously, you might also notice a reduction in body fat after a couple of weeks.

“This is because alcohol provides us with empty calories (calories without any nutrients), plus consuming alcohol also makes us choose less nutritious food choices, such as fast foods and takeaways.”

Cutting out alcohol will therefore mean you’re consuming less unhealthy food and drink – and hopefully make you see a difference in your appearance.

4. You’ll look better

Skipping that nightcap can also do wonders for your skin.

“Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol can make skin look dull, so at this stage you should notice that your skin has more of a glow to it.

“Swapping wine for water hydrates the body and skin, and leads to better overall health,” she added.

Better physical health

It’s towards the end of the month when you’ll really experience the physical benefits of sobriety.

“Your body will benefit from a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and high blood pressure,” Signe explained.

“If you have consumed alcohol on a regular basis previously, you might also notice a reduction in body fat after a couple of weeks.

“This is because alcohol provides us with empty calories (calories without any nutrients), plus consuming alcohol also makes us choose less nutritious food choices, such as fast foods and takeaways,” she added.

  Read More