Booze and Your Body

Alcohol takes a toll on your body, and even one week without it can make a big difference. Whether you've been alcohol-free forever or are just starting your Dry January journey, here's what you -- and your body -- can expect to lose and gain when you cut out the alcohol. Thank you to Amanda Nighbert, RD (@amandanighbertrd), who provided this valuable information!

1 Week Alcohol Free

• Improved sleep quality (even if it is tough at first!)
• Save a few dollars on your grocery bill
• More likely to be productive in the mornings when you are not hungover

2 Weeks Alcohol Free

• Feeling more confident with your ability to stop drinking
• Potentially finding more like-minded Instagram accounts, people, etc. who limit drinking as well
• More likely to be productive in the mornings when you are not tired form your body trying to detox the alcohol
• Learning how to combat cravings a bit more
• Better workouts

3 Weeks Alcohol Free

• Losing your cravings for alcohol
• Learning to cope with any feelings that alcohol may mask
• Creating better habits and routines

1 Month Alcohol Free

• Less inflammation
• Better GI health
• Fewer snacking and "bad" food cravings (alcohol lowers your inhibition; therefore, you are more likely to snack!)
• Save roughly $80+ depending on how much alcohol you were buying (assuming $20/week on average)
• Significant reduction of liver stiffness (the beginning stages of liver disease) and blood pressure
• Brighter skin and eyes
• More time for hobbies

1 Year Alcohol Free

• Better relationships with others
• Better quality of life
• Savings roughly $480+ per year (if you spend $20/week on alcohol you'd save $1,040 per year!)
• Better coping strategies
• Better relationship with going out to eat, going to a holiday party, going on vacation, etc.
• Better hair, skin, and nails
• Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression decrease
• Canadian researchers found that alcohol contributed to roughly 29% of all dementia cases in a 2012 University of Montreal study
• Weight loss and better nutrient absorption