Dry January: Are There Really Any Health Benefits?

While Floridians are lounging by the pool or beach, many will refrain from sipping a cold beer or drinking a salty margarita this month.

While enjoying the December weather, many Floridians participate in a worldwide trend known as "Dry January." The concept is to abstain from alcohol for 31 days a month to start the new year with a clean slate and feel better.

But in an age of juice cleanses and exercise selfies, the supposed commitment to health has become divisive, with some skeptics questioning any positive long-term results if participants return to their original drinking habits after the end of January.

"It's definitely good for your health," says Dr. Marc Lamet, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Digestive Disorders Center in Hollywood. “You don't expose yourself to toxins for a month. But more than anything, it's a psychological journey to stop drinking."

If you don't drink in January, you'll likely sleep better, rest better, stay hydrated, reduce acid reflux, lose weight, lower blood pressure, and calm your liver.

Don't expect too much too soon.

"If you drink for 10 years, will one month make a difference? Probably not," Lamet said. "Hopefully, one month can lead to two or six months and that will allow your liver to go back to normal. It's a good start."

Alcohol consumption is on the rise again

According to a study by DrugAbuse.com, Floridians drank less in 2021 than last year, likely due to less time spent at home and the lifting of restrictions due to COVID-19. But in 2022, many parties and events in Florida that were canceled during the pandemic are resuming, prompting some to say they're drinking, especially in December.

Saul Kravetz (59) decided to participate in Dry January, inspired by his 24-year-old daughter, who also decided to participate. He believes that giving up alcohol will allow him to shed the few pounds he gained during the holidays and improve his running times. "I think overall I'll feel better," he said. "Hopefully this will lead to a dry February."

Kravetz, a Davie resident, said even though he only drinks once a week, quitting smoking completely is a difficult task. I will have to drink drinks.

Daughter Lauren, 28, said she sees Dry January in 2023 as her first step towards a healthy lifestyle. "In general, I'm trying to live a healthier lifestyle, and alcohol is one of the easiest ways to fit that into my diet," she said. said: . "I drank a lot over the holidays, so this is a good refill for this year."

Dry January business

Research shows that after starting the year without alcohol, people tend to drink less in the following months and improve their overall mood. "Most people continue to do it to some degree," said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC's chief medical correspondent.

Official Dry was launched on 1 January 2013 and was created by the UK charity Alcohol Change UK as a public health initiative. A decade later, millions have taken part, and as of this past January, 35 percent of adults had abstained from alcohol for a month, according to CGA, a food and beverage research firm.

"It really raises awareness," said Dr. Tara Jongersen. "Not only can it help you understand how much you're drinking, but it can also allow you to create opportunities to connect and engage in relationships without that crutch."

While the goal is recovery, Dry January can reveal potential alcohol problems, especially if you're experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and excessive sweating.

"This is an opportunity to understand what role alcohol plays in your life," Gongerson said. "Recovery is not a straight line. If you relapse after two weeks, start over and use your support system.

You're getting more out of it than you think

Red wine in moderation has long been considered good for the heart. However, women now make up the majority of wine drinkers and are more likely than men to develop liver disease.

"Alcohol consumption has increased dramatically over time and is now one of the top three reasons why people need a liver transplant," says the doctor. Bobby Zervos, a hepatologist at the Cleveland Weston Clinic.

"When you give up alcohol, it allows the liver to recover and start over... It's good to do that for any length of time," he said.

Alcohol also adds extra calories to your diet, increases food cravings, and slows down your metabolism. Research shows that even a short break from alcohol can lead to weight loss. "It can eliminate all the fat stores in the liver from sugars," Zervos said.

Zervos said he sees physical and mental benefits. “Some people drink to hide feelings such as anxiety or depression. Coming out lets people know that if they're not drinking and they're starting to feel depressed, maybe they should talk to a psychiatrist."

If you're planning to participate in Dry January, Jungersen, a licensed mental health counselor, recommends focusing on what you get.

"Think empowerment, companionship and self-esteem," she said. "Try to focus on that and not just the fact that you can't drink."

Cindy Goodman, Sun Sentinel health reporter, can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.

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Advantages of dry January