Goodbye beer, wine and aperitifs from 5 to 7! More and more consumers are trying more or less long "alcohol-free" periods during which they do not drink a drop. The concept of ‘‘Dry January’’, which encourages people to pass up on alcohol every year during the month of January, is part of the trend. And it turns out the positive health effects of this alcohol withdrawal are real. Here are 6 of these benefits as well as our tips for living your diet well.
But by the way, where did “Dry January” come from? After the holiday season, favourable to excesses, January seems the perfect month to take a break from drinking. This is at least what the British association Alcohol Change UK said when it launched the challenge in 2013, during a public health campaign. The movement has since gained in popularity and has taken on an international dimension. How do you explain this popularity? Abstaining from alcohol for (even) a month has positive health effects.
Good for body, mind and wallet
A study conducted in 2019 by the University of Sussex showed the benefits of such a regimen: out of 6,000 participants, 86% saved money 81% felt more in control of their alcohol consumption, 70% slept better, 67% saw their concentration improved, 66% gained energy, 65% saw their overall health improve and 54% lost weight.
Let's put these 6 benefits under the microscope:
While alcohol can cause sleep, it does disrupt its natural cycle and makes you feel tired when you wake up.
Drinking alcohol weakens the immune system and reduces the body's ability to defend itself against infections and diseases.
Alcohol can have a high caloric intake - 150 calories for a glass of beer or wine - while providing little or no nutritional value to the body. It is for this reason it is often set aside during slimming diets.
It’s no secret alcohol promotes inflammation and is one of the main causes of liver disease. A study by the British magazine New Scientist showed in 2013 a showed a 15% decrease in liver fat in the liver in subjects who stopped all alcohol consumption for 5 weeks.
Not drinking alcohol leads to an improvement in blood pressure, but also a reduction in cholesterol levels and the risk of developing heart disease.
Alcohol dehydrates all organs of the body. Not drinking it supports hydration which is not only reflected on the skin, but also reduces fatigue.
Alcohol-free diet: alternatives
Jumping to “alcohol-free” is not easy for everyone. But whether you consume it for its flavor, to get festive or to ease the pressure after a big day, comforting and festive alternatives exist to accompany you during your diet.
Non-alcoholic beers, wines, ciders and champagnes
Same smell and same aromas, it is quite possible to drink beers, wine and ciders without the effects of alcohol.
Mocktails
Contraction of "mock" and "cocktail", mocktails are inspired by traditional cocktails, but do not contain alcohol. So, no need to put away your favorite recipes: pina colada, mojito, sangria, etc.
Coffee
In moderate doses, coffee is a comforting alternative to alcohol.
MushUp coffees, which contain adaptogenic mushroomswill also support your immune system, in addition to bringing you their antioxidant, anti-cancer, stimulating or calming properties. Our VIGOR range is excellent for mocktails thanks to its fruity notes and more tangy taste.
Stay in control of your consumption
The movement launched by Alcohol Change UK is not intended to put pressure on consumers, but rather to launch them into a reflection on their habits with the aim of instilling a better control of their alcohol consumption in the long term.
For those who do not want to deprive themselves during winter, the association also offers sober spring and several other actions around alcohol-free.
Will you let yourself be tempted?
