We are giving you 4 reasons to reduce alcohol intake this New Year. The benefits are many, and it is a great time to get started.
For many, resolutions are limited to losing weight, or adopting healthy habits.
The benefits of these resolutions are well documented, and should be part of your healthy lifestyle all year round. We wanted to bring a new perspective, and tackle the issue of alcohol.
Alcohol when consumed in excess can damage the liver, lead to heart problems and even increase the risk of cancer. Many doctors and health experts recommend a glass of wine per day, as it does contain antioxidants that can be beneficial to health.
This article is for those who consume more than a drink per day.
Let’s take a look at 4 reasons to reduce alcohol intake this New Year.
Better mood:
Many of us drink to uplift our mood. However, science shows that this could backfire.
Alcohol intake, especially in excess, can interfere with neurotransmitters that deal with mood, which can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Reducing your tendencies to reach for a drink when dealing with the blues can make you happier in the long run.
Lose weight:
Alcoholic drinks are what we call “empty calories,” meaning that you don’t get much nutrition from them. A glass of white whine is about 120 calories, while a typical pint of beer can amount to 150 calories or more.
Reducing these empty calories can go a long way in keeping extra pounds off.
Better sleep:
Research has shown that alcohol can interfere with the body’s natural sleep patterns.
Dr. John Shneerson, head of the sleep centre at Papworth Hospital in the United Kingdom recommends staying away from alcohol before bed to keep your sleep healthy.
“Deep sleep is when the body restores itself, and alcohol can interfere with this,” he explains. “As the alcohol starts to wear off, your body can come out of deep sleep and back into REM [rapid eye movement] sleep, which is much easier to wake from. That’s why you often wake up after just a few hours sleep when you’ve been drinking.”
Healthy stomach:
Drinking alcohol can lead to stomach irritation and to an increase of stomach acid production.
Gastritis, which is an inflammation of stomach lining, can result from this increase in acid. Heavy drinking may even cause stomach bleeding.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
Drinking alcohol can cause 7 types of cancer.
Alcohol and processed meat cause stomach cancer.
REFERENCES:
1. “Going Dry for January? How Reducing Alcohol Intake Can Benefit Health.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.
2. “Alcohol and Sleep.” Drinkaware. Drinkaware, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.
3. “Alcohol’s Effects on the Body.” National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.
Pingback: 4 best healthy ways to detox in the New Year