Drinking no alcohol in the first month of the year is known as ‘Dry January’. Health scientists say that you are likely to lose weight and have more energy, as well as consume less booze for months after that as the result of taking part in this drive.

Dry January health benefits

Researchers of the University of Sussex analyzed reports of participants of Dry January drive and found numerous health benefits achieved.

People were likely to drink consume less spirits for months after taking part in the drink-free monthly event, as well as have more energy and better skin. Participants also lost weight while drinking no alcohol, Science Daily reported.

The researchers reviewed the data of people who abstained from alcohol for a month in January 2018. Over 2,500 questionnaires were reviewed, which were completed in February and August 2018.

• The average weekly consumption dropped from 4.3 units to 3.3.
• On the days when participants consumed alcohol, they would drink 7.1 units instead of 8.6 as they did before.
• People would get drunk less often: 2.1 times on average instead of 3.4.

Other results of the alcohol-free January were saving money, better sleep and concentration.

• 71% of people reported they realized drinking wasn’t needed to enjoy themselves.
• 67% reported having more energy.
• 58% lost weight.

Among participants, 93% experienced a sense of achievement and 80% were feeling they could control their drinking better.

UK drive for a booze-free January

In UK, the drive for a booze-free January is growing in popularity, with 1 in 10 drinkers reporting an intent to participate in 2019 drive.

Dr Richard de Visser who compiled the findings said:

“The simple act of taking a month off alcohol helps people drink less in the long term: by August people are reporting one extra dry day per week. There are also considerable immediate benefits: nine in ten people save money, seven in ten sleep better and three in five lose weight”.

Even the people who signed up for Dry January but didn’t complete the month of alcohol abstinence had shown benefits to health as compared to their condition before, although these changes were smaller.

The conclusion is simple and clear: Staying alcohol-free is good for you, and makes you healthier and happier. The benefits are immediate and maintainable over the long term.

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