If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, your feed is probably packed with people talking up how amazing they feel without alcohol in their lives. But while a growing body of research has found that no amount of alcohol is technically good for you, it’s understandable to still want to enjoy the odd glass of wine or cocktail with friends. There are a few studies out there on the potential health impacts of avoiding alcohol, but what happens if you just cut back?
An all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for some people, so it’s fair to wonder if you’d still be getting health perks by going this route. We tapped two doctors who study the impact of alcohol on the body to learn more. Meet the experts: Megan Strowger, PhD, a post-doctoral research associate at University at Buffalo; Emily A.
Gordon, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine and program director of Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School You’ll still get plenty of health perks if you just have the odd drink, says Megan Strowger, PhD, a post-doctoral research associate at University at Buffalo who recently studied the impact on the body of cutting out alcohol for a month. In fact, she says cutting back can have a “profound impact” on your health, especially if you’ve been a heavy drinker in the past. Strowger points to an older clinical trial that found people had lower blood pressure, better liver function, and reported a better quality of life within four months of cutting back on their drinking.
That shows that “even a moderate reduction in consumption can lead to meaningful improvements for both the body and mind,” Strowger says. It’s not a bad idea to leave room for a little alcohol in your life if you enjoy it and don’t struggle with alcohol use disorder, says Emily A. Gordon points out that there are healthy drinking limits in place (no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women).
You may be just fine deciding you’re only going to drink here and there, but some people prefer a little more guidance. If you fall into the second camp, Gordon recommends thinking about when you tend to drink. Tracking how often you drink (including the type and number of drinks you have) can be helpful, too, Strowger says.
If you respond well to clear boundaries, Strowger recommends giving yourself a specific limit on drinks you’ll have in each sitting or per week. Ultimately, just do your best. It’s unlikely to hurt your health—and could even give your mental health a boost.
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