There are many benefits of quitting drinking, particularly if you feel as though you have a drinking problem, and there are plenty of resources to help you along the way!
Why Quit Drinking?
There are many reasons why someone may decide to quit drinking alcohol, from addiction and disease to social issues, or even preventative measures for their health. The overconsumption of alcohol has been linked to several health conditions, including liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Excessive alcohol use has also been linked to severe depression, suicide, dementia, and stroke. [1] [2]
So even though the consumption of alcohol is a popular social custom in most cultures around the world, quitting drinking does help you protect and prevent various health issues. Let us look at the benefits in detail below:
Benefits of Quitting Drinking
The many benefits of quitting drinking include better sleep and concentration, healthy liver, lower risk of heart disease, weight loss and reducing your dependence on an external substance.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty liver disease and inflammation of the liver. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Healthy Liver
The benefits of not drinking appear quite rapidly after your last sip. Studies show that within one month, liver fat, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels all decrease dramatically. [3]
Improves Sleep
People who quit drinking also report better sleep and concentration almost immediately.
Weight Loss
Many people quit drinking for weight-loss reasons. Alcoholic drinks are usually very caloric and full of sugar. Alcohol also slows the metabolism down, and in women, it affects estrogen levels, which contributes to the storage of belly fat. It inhibits the body’s ability to absorb and distribute nutrients to the body, so even the healthy parts of your lifestyle are rendered less effective when you are regularly consuming alcohol. [4]
Dehydration
As anyone who has handled a morning-after hangover can tell you, alcohol is a diuretic that can severely dehydrate the body. This also means you will have more energy throughout the day because your body won’t be starting at a deficit when you wake up.
Skin Care
Quitting drinking will also vastly improve your skin tone and appearance. Not only does alcohol stop your body from getting the water and nutrients your cells need to stay young, but the high level of sugar in alcohol also breaks down collagen in the body and dilates blood vessels in the skin. Not drinking will lead to less blotchy-faced mornings, and in the long run, it will help your skin remain elastic and youthful in appearance. [5]
Note: There are usually no side effects to quitting drinking for the moderate user. However, if you feel that you have a problem with excessive use, seek professional help, as the withdrawals from excessive alcohol consumption can be quite severe. [6]
