Did you know 10 percent of alcohol drinkers in the U.S consume more than 10 drinks per day?
That’s a lot.
And another 30 percent of us will have at least one drink per week.
Wherever you fall on this scale, there are reasons for you to stop drinking alcohol.
Let’s take a look at some of these top reasons.
10 Things that Happen to Our Bodies When We Stop Drinking Alcohol
Aside from dehydration and hangovers, you can avoid a lot more when you stop drinking alcohol. Drinking has been proven to contribute to a variety of serious illnesses including liver disease, cardiac disease, cancer, and so much more.
Fortunately, the side effects of drinking can also stop as soon as you cease drinking and the longer you stay sober, the better benefits you’ll have. Here are 10 ways your body will benefit when you commit to alcohol abstinence.
1. Healthy Liver:
While our livers are meant to be able to process a certain amount of alcohol, there can be detrimental effects when we drink too much.
Every time alcohol enters our livers, it creates a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde. This triggers fat buildup and inflammation of the liver which can eventually lead to permanent scarring and damages.
You might’ve heard of fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis. These are all diseases that alcohol can contribute to. When you stop drinking alcohol, you’ll reduce the chances of developing these diseases.
2. Strong Immunity:
Since our liver is the organ that has to work the hardest to eliminate the effects of alcohol, when you stop drinking, there will also be less work for the liver to do.
This means your liver can focus on other problems in the body instead, such as fighting off germs, viruses, and infections. You may notice when you stop drinking, your cold, wounds, and aches will heal faster.
This is why when you are sick, your doctor will always tell you to drink less or stop drinking completely.
3. Restful Sleep:
While alcohol might help you fall asleep faster because of its sedative properties, studies show it will worsen the quality of your sleep throughout the night.
Alcohol interrupts sleep brain waves and breathing patterns which both disrupt the rapid eye movement (REM) cycle.
Haven’t you noticed how after a night of drinking, you always wake up feeling groggy? Chances are, you were tossing turning in your sleep, and maybe even snoring.
When you stop drinking, however, your brain will correct its sleep patterns resulting in a more restful night.
4. Better Skin:
Alcohol is terrible for our skin in many ways. It dehydrates the skin, prevents the absorption of nutrients for skin cell renewal, and causes inflammation.
This means if you are already prone to breakouts, alcohol can lead to more of them and it won’t matter how much you spent on skincare products because alcohol will undo all of it.
Combined with stronger immunity and better sleep, over time, your skin will appear more dewy and vibrant. Now, who doesn’t want that?
5. Lose Weight:
A drink here and a drink there and the calories will sneak up on you.
For example, if you drink a glass of wine every day for a month, you’ll consume an average of 2000 more calories.
On top of that, drinking also stimulates appetite and decreases self-control. A horrible combination that will most likely lead you to choose unhealthy foods and overeat.
6. Reduce Risk of Cancer:
Alcohol is a proven carcinogen that can contribute to a variety of cancers including head and neck cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and much more.
It puts harmful toxins into our bodies, damages our DNA, body proteins, fats, and impairs our body’s ability to take in vitamins that are necessary for healthy cell production.
With alcohol abstinence, you can be sure that you’re avoiding these risks.
7. Improved Memory:
You may know or have experienced alcohol impairing your cognitive abilities and short-term memory but did you know it can also affect your long-term memory?
That’s right. Excessive and prolonged drinking can inhibit the brain’s ability to recall long-term memory. Studies have found that alcohol damages the brain’s frontal lobes and hippocampus, which are both parts of the brain associated with memory.
Fortunately, the studies also showed that when you stop drinking alcohol, these damages to the brain can be reversed and memory will improve.
8. Healthy Heart:
Although there are some debates about whether red wine is good for the heart or not, alcohol is best avoided if you know your family has a history of heart problems.
According to the American Heart Association, consuming too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, blood flow shortage, and stroke. Along with all the other negative effects of alcohol, alcohol is simply not a good choice to promote heart health as there are many other ways to do that such as diet and exercise.
9. Stronger Mental Health:
At times, it may feel like alcohol can lighten up your mood and help you take your mind off things but the reality is you are only temporarily escaping from the problem. The problem will still be there when you wake up and it can be a rude awakening.
If you suspect your drinking problem is caused by an underlying mental health disorder, you might benefit from dual diagnosis treatment.
When you stop drinking alcohol, you’ll learn to confront your problems in healthier ways and exercise better decision-making skills. This will help you gain control over your emotions and feel more confident about tackling life’s problems.
10. Take Charge of A Healthier Life:
For many people, alcohol abstinence is so much more than just leading a healthier life, it’s also about taking back control of their life.
How many times have you found yourself ordering a drink just because your friend or coworker did and then wishing you didn’t?
If you can remind yourself of all these benefits the next time you’re at the bar or a party, you might find it easier to say no.
Better yet, tell your friends about these benefits and steer them towards a healthier lifestyle too. You might be surprised by the respect you’ll gain.
For more health and lifestyle tips, visit us on our lifestyle page.
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