Although Dry July is now in full swing, it’s never too late to go alcohol-free. Setting yourself the challenge to go without alcohol can be done at any time of the year, not just during the designated month of awareness, and the health benefits are worth the sacrifice. And if the health benefits aren’t keeping you focussed, remember that Dry July is all for charity and you can help people affected by cancer by raising funds and awareness. Dietitian and Dry July Ambassador, Chloe McLeod explains some of the health benefits you can expect to experience during one month of living in an alcohol-free zone.
You’ll have more energy
“When you stop drinking for a whole month you may find that your energy levels increase. You’ll be more active and ready to take on any task, whether that’s reaching your workout goal at the gym, or getting lots more work done than you usually would when drinking.”
You’ll have a stronger immune system
“When you consume large amounts of alcohol you weaken your immune system, making it hard for the body to fight off illnesses and diseases. Alcohol can also weaken your white blood cells and make them less effective at fighting off bad bacteria. When you stop drinking, your immune system strengthens and improves the body’s ability to fight infection, which is especially important this winter.”
Your memory and cognitive function will improve
“Moderate to heavy alcohol drinkers may develop a shrinkage of the brain, especially the parts that are associated with cognition and learning. Memory impairments are seen with even a few drinks, and these can continue to damage the memory function as you continue to increase your alcohol consumption. Abstaining from alcohol for a month or longer can repair and reverse damage to your brain and memory functions, which can include problem-solving, your attention-span and your thinking skills.”
You’ll be more hydrated
“Dehydration is one of the most common symptoms of being hung over. Having low hydration levels can affect your concentration, energy levels and mood. This can affect how efficient you are at work, during your everyday tasks and at the gym. When you stop drinking you will find that your hydration levels spike back up to normal, resulting in you feeling less thirsty, as well as regaining your energy to continue on with your day.”
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