People stop drinking and participate in Janeiro Seco specifically for a number of reasons, and the results vary. For example, one of our former editors who experimented concluded that he had more energy, ended up eating better and saved a good amount of money. Whatever your reason – or reasons – and everything you hope to gain (or lose) during that period, here are some health benefits that may result from participating in Dry January.
Benefits of making dry January
Remember that everyone is different. That said, if you are someone who drinks excessively, you may experience alcohol withdrawal. “Alcohol addiction is a chronic medical condition in which excess alcohol is ingested due to the desire and the inability to stop,” Flora Sinha, MD, an accredited internal medicine doctor, told POPSUGAR. “These patients will experience withdrawal symptoms like tremors, diarrhea, chills and sweating if they suddenly stop.”
In addition, quitting smoking can have serious adverse effects. Delirium Tremens (DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can set in 48 hours after stopping drinking, psychiatrist Nzinga Harrison, MD, who specializes in anti-addiction medicine, told POPSUGAR. Withdrawal can progress until the person has disorientation, hallucinations or seizures, and can lead to coma or even death, she said.
If you think that you or someone you love needs medical attention because of alcohol consumption, look for it and also contact the support services listed at the end of this article. “If you develop tremors and diarrhea or vomiting, you should seek medical help immediately to decrease your risk of developing TDs,” advised Dr. Harrison.
People who drink from mild to moderate would probably not experience withdrawal symptoms, and this article is for them. We talked to a handful of experts about what cutting alcohol can do for mental and physical health, and here are some benefits they’ve highlighted.
Weight loss and decreased appetite
The aforementioned publisher who tried Janeiro Seco lost weight by eliminating alcohol. “The easiest way to lose weight is to cut ‘liquid calories’ that have minimal nutritional value. This is alcohol for many people,” said Sinha. Alcohol can have a negative impact on metabolism, for example, by interfering with the liver’s ability to process fat.
You may notice that you feel less hungry if you take alcohol out of the equation. Dr. Sinha noted that there are studies that suggest that alcohol may increase the hormones that regulate appetite in the brain. She said it is important to know, however, that heavy drinkers (whom she calls alcoholics) have decreased their appetite “because at this point, they are getting most of their calories from alcohol”.
Improved Sleep
“In the early evening, alcohol has a sedative effect, so most people will notice that they can fall asleep more easily or even ‘pass out’,” Meredith Broderick, triple board certified physician, neurologist and sleep doctor, told POPSUGAR. “But once the alcohol passes, a wave of the sympathetic nervous system occurs, causing an early morning wake-up call or several awakenings in the second part of the night.”
Alcohol, too, said Dr. Broderick, “makes the airways collapse more easily, so that people can notice snoring, wake up with shortness of breath or even a swollen uvula.” Overall, she noted, it disturbs the quality of sleep. Participating in something like Dry January, then, can positively impact someone’s sleep.
Best Skin
Samantha Ellis, MD, an accredited dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at UC Davis, told POPSUGAR that drinking conservative amounts of alcohol does not necessarily lead to poor health or skin appearance in people without underlying skin diseases (although we know that alcohol can dehydrate the skin). She also noted that drinking to excess “can affect a number of body systems, including the skin. This can lead to a yellowish skin appearance, dilation and rupture of blood vessels on the surface of the skin and worsening of chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. “
Cutting alcohol can result in skin benefits in other ways, Ellis said. “We know that those who consume alcohol can make wrong food choices and have disrupted sleep, which negatively influences the appearance of the skin,” she explained. “Without the sedative effect of alcohol, individuals may also be more motivated to adopt healthy skin care habits, such as removing makeup before bed, performing a restorative skin care routine and exercising regularly.”
Better Mental Health
Dr. Harrison said that alcohol in moderation is perfectly good for mental health and, in some studies, is even related to an increase in happiness. However, since drinking goes beyond moderation, it is associated with anxiety, depression, decreased energy, irritability and difficulty concentrating, among other things. This can affect a person’s relationships and life responsibilities, she said, which, in turn, can further damage mental health.
“Many people believe that only ‘serious alcoholics’ experience this cycle,” said Dr. Harrison. In reality, however, one in six American adults drinks to excess about four times a month. “When cutting alcohol in the diet, you will see an improvement in mood; anxiety; concentration; sleep; relationships; and, often, self-esteem, ”she said.
“Even if you haven’t noticed any problems with the drink, but realize that you’re drinking more, or find yourself anticipating the moment when you can pour that drink after work, or have a little guilt about how much you’re drinking, will benefit, “concluded Dr. Harrison.
Long-term benefits of eliminating alcohol
Dr. Sinha said that cutting alcohol can benefit your liver in weeks, if you don’t already have liver disease. Looking at the long term, eliminating alcohol can decrease liver damage and prevent alcoholic hepatitis or fatty liver disease (although people can get fatty liver disease without drinking alcohol). Eliminating alcohol for a long period of time can also decrease the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in the long run, added Dr. Sinha.
Moderate drinking is fine
Dr. Sinha said that if you want to go back to drinking alcohol after Dry January, moderate use for healthy adults usually means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. A standard drink is similar to:
- Beer: 12 fluid ounces
- Malt liquor: 8 fluid ounces
- Wine: 5 fluid ounces
- Distilled alcohol or liquor: 1.5 fluid ounces
If you or a loved one shows signs of addiction or alcohol dependence, the National Substance Abuse Hotline and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) is a free, 24/7 service and confidential for which you can call for information and treatment referral. It is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Also, find other resources at samhsa.gov.