January is often considered a time for New Years resolutions and asking tough questions about your intention for the year to come. And for an increasing number of people, the first month of the year is also an occasion to step back from alcohol consumption. Dry January challenges participants to abstain from drinking alcohol for all 31 days of January.
The challenge first began in 2013 as a public health campaign hosted by the U.K. nonprofit Alcohol for Change. Since that first iteration with 4,000 participants, Dry January has grown to be a part of the cultural lexicon. Nearly 10 years on, the monthlong alcohol detox is practically a movement, with nearly 20 percent of adults in the U.S. saying they plan to participate in 2022s, per a Morning Consult poll.
Following what is, for many, a period of holiday indulgences, Dry January may act as a reset button. According to a 2019 study from the University of Sussex, other reasons participants take on the challenge typically include improving their health, proving to themselves they could do it, losing weight, and cutting back on spending money.
Studies show that reducing alcohol intake has proven health benefits, like lowered blood pressure, improved sleep, and a reduced risk of liver disease. As for the efficacy of Dry January? Well, nutritionist Keri Gans, MS RDN CDN, explains that noticeable benefits vary by participantand have to do with how much you were drinking before January. According to the CDC, one drink per day is considered moderate drinking for women, and two per day for men. People are more likely to see changes if they were drinking more than that amount, Gans says.
In that sense, Dry January is an effective way to gauge the role alcohol plays in your life, which may lead to lasting behavioral change. The 2019 study from the University of Sussex found that 81 percent of surveyed Dry January participants felt more in control of their drinking after the challenge.
While the challenge was designed to be complete abstinence from alcohol, you can adapt it to your lifestyle and needs. No one size fits all, Gans says. For context, half of the participants surveyed by Morning Consult plan to abstain from alcohol entirely, with the other half planning to reduce consumption. If youre considering taking on the challenge in any form, read on to see the benefits of Dry Januaryand perhaps be persuaded as to why it might be right for you.
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Depending on an individuals specific drinking habits and starting weight, taking a monthlong break from alcohol could result in losing weight or generally feeling less bloated. Alcohol has liquid calories, which dont provide the same nutrients as the ones found in food. If people dont replace the weekly calories consumed from alcohol with other beverages or food, it will automatically create a deficit that will result in pounds lost, Gans says.
Research shows that alcohol influences our food choices. A study from the American Journal of Health Studies shows that food cravings are more intense and frequent when alcohol is consumed, and people are more likely to reach for characteristically unhealthy food to satisfy those cravings. Essentially, Gans says, drinking can influence people to be less controlled in their eating. Having alcohol out of your system for an extended period of time may lead to making more conscious food choices and developing healthier eating habits.
As you may already know, alcohol often has a sedative effect. It can help a person fall asleep more quickly, Gans says. But the quality of that sleep, Gans says, isnt optimal. Gans explains that the sedative effects of alcohol can wear off and actually lead to a more restless night. Additionally, Gans asks us to consider the effects of not staying up for one more beer. Less alcohol consumption could simply mean getting home earlier, and getting more sleep.
In addition to health benefits, Dry January often has a fiscal boon. Maybe youll spend less on the weekly grocery run. Or maybe youll skip out on those $15 cocktails. Either way: That money adds up. Your wallet will thank you.
Along with rethinking one dietary habit, Dry January offers a great opportunity to build another: Drinking more water. If youre someone who typically has a glass of wine or a beer with dinner, Gans recommends replacing that drink with a cool glass of H20. Water has countless documented benefits, from reducing bloating to getting smoother skin. Water is needed by every cell in our body to perform at its best, Gans says.
Dry January might be the secret ingredient your skincare cabinet was missing. Alcohol can have an effect on your overall appearanceespecially your skin. The biggest problem? Since its a diuretic, or a substance that rids your body of water, alcohol can result in dehydration, and in turn lead to a loss of skin elasticity and enlarged pores. Alcohol can also lead to skin inflammation, giving a red and puffy complexion. Essentially, by the end of the month, you may be looking dewier.
During Dry January, you may be replacing alcohol with energyheaps of it. The University of Sussex measured that 67 percent of Dry January participants had more energy than before. This may manifest in physical activity: Gans says you may have the wherewithal to work out in the morning or evening. Alcohol can lead to sleepiness, so cutting back may lead to alertness in the morning. You wont be drinking as much during Dry Januarybut imagine what else you can be doing.
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What Is Dry January and What Are the Health Benefits? - Oprah Mag
