Whether you’re currently in the midst of Sober October or are thinking ahead to doing Dry January, here's some welcome news for you: Researchers from Brown University and the University at Buffalo dove into the health impact of an alcohol-free month—and the results are inspiring. But first, know that if you're looking to scale back on drinking, you're not the only one: A Gallup poll found that just 62 percent of adults under age 35 say they drink, which is down from 72 percent two decades ago. So, what happens in your body when you stop drinking for 30 days?
And what if you cut back, but don't totally quit? Keep reading to find out. Meet the experts: Megan Strowger, PhD, is the lead study author and post-doctoral research associate at University at Buffalo.
Susan Kelly-Weeder, PhD, is a researcher and dean of the George Washington University School of Nursing. Researchers analyzed data from 16 studies on Dry January for the review, which was published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism. They found that people who participated in Dry January were more likely to be female, younger, have higher incomes, have a college degree, and were heavy drinkers before the challenge started.
The participants reported feeling happier when they swore off alcohol for the month. They also were more likely to say that they lost weight, were able to concentrate more, and had better energy than they did before. The researchers even noticed physical changes, like the participants had better blood pressure, vascular health, and liver function, and had less insulin resistance, which is considered a precursor to diabetes.
Even people who cut back—but didn’t quit entirely—saw some improvements in those health metrics. Overall, participants were also more likely to drink less and have less signs of alcohol use disorder during a six-month follow-up. Dry January “likely provided an opportunity for self-reflection,” says Megan Strowger, PhD, study co-author and post-doctoral research associate at University at Buffalo.
Being at an unhealthy weight can raise the risk of a host of health issues, while cutting out alcohol can help with healthy weight loss. What's more, alcohol can mess with your sleep, which can impact your physical and mental health, Kelly-Weeder points out. Over time, that can impact mood, happiness, and mental health.
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