Many people have routines that are just a natural part of their daily lives, such as savouring a robust glass of wine at the end of a long day or an ice-cold beer while watching sports. But giving up alcohol can have some fairly amazing health benefits, whether you're a daily drinker or just like the occasional glass of wine. It's fun to enjoy a fashionable beverage during happy hour. A mocktail, however, might be a better option if you're attempting to lose weight, want to feel more energised, or just want to live a healthy lifestyle.
Alcohol acts as a depressant, which means that consuming alcohol might make the brain less active. The CDC states that prolonged heavy drinking can result in a number of rather serious consequences, such as memory loss, heart disease, liver disease, and even the extreme consequence of death. So, if you're ready to switch out your traditional martini for a spirit-free alternative or your traditional suds for a zero-ABV lager, keep reading to find out what can happen to your body if you make this simple change.
Lose Weight
The first step in weight loss is frequently foregoing preferred sugary meals or working out a little more. However, since alcohol has 7 calories per serving, cutting back on alcohol can help you lose weight, especially if your preferred beverage has a lot of alcohol in it. Additionally, omitting alcoholic beverages with sugary mixers that you enjoy (we're looking at you, pia coladas) can have a stronger effect. Alcohol can have a deleterious impact on our capacity to feel full, impair the quality of our sleep, increase appetite, and decrease our willingness to exercise—all of which may lead to weight gain.
Sleep Better
Alcohol can help people relax and make it easier for them to fall asleep, but it can also have a negative impact on their capacity to sleep. A 2021 study that was published in Public Health Nutrition found that drinking too much alcohol increases the likelihood of having bad sleep. It may potentially cause snoring and limited sleep duration.
Boosts Immunity
Increasing our vitamin C intake, washing our hands frequently, and getting enough sleep are all tried-and-true ways to prevent the flu and the common cold (although nothing is guaranteed). Less well recognised is the fact that excessive alcohol consumption harms our immune system and can actually lower its performance. According to research reported in 2021 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, alcohol can impair the balance of the gut microbiota, one of the many ways it suppresses the immune system. One component of how our body defends itself against illness can ultimately be weakened by poor gut health and microbial imbalance.
Stay Hydrated
We know that drinking alcohol makes us produce more urine, which reduces the amount of fluid we retain. Alcohol consumption, even in tiny doses, can have a brief diuretic impact. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels are decreased by alcohol, which leads the kidneys to generate more urine and retain less water. Your ADH levels return to normal after you stop drinking alcohol, and your kidneys release the right amount of water. Your entire body will feel better if you keep water in your system and stay hydrated.