Those who take part in Dry January voluntarily refrain from alcohol for the first month of the year. Here you can find out how useful the trend is for health.
Dry January: That’s what it’s about
The resolution to consume less alcohol in the New Year is not new. However, those who take part in the so-called Dry January undertake to completely refrain from alcohol for one month from New Year’s Eve.
The trend comes from the UK. There alcohol is the one most common cause of death by people aged 15 to 49 years. Germany is considered to be High consumption country, because everyone aged 15 and over drinks an average of 10.9 liters of alcohol per year.
No matter what your motivation – it is a good idea to critically reflect on your own drinking behavior.
How dry January promotes health
The Dry January campaign promisesthat a dry month has a positive effect on health: Participants: Accordingly, inside sleep better, lose weight and get a better complexion.
In fact, the time you stop drinking can improve physical well-being:
- According to Ingeborg Münzing-Ruef’s “course book for healthy nutrition”, the body can absorb fewer vitamins and minerals if you drink alcohol regularly.
- So giving up alcohol for a while can be yours strengthen your immune system and increase your ability to concentrate.
- Better sleep can also be a positive result.
- In addition, alcohol is high in calories. Weight loss can be a desirable side effect of completely avoiding alcohol. Of course, this only works if your other diet is healthy and balanced.
- If you want to give your liver a recovery phase after too much mulled wine and sparkling wine, Dry January is also useful. However, this is only useful if you don’t continue as before after the break.
Attention: Participating in Dry January is no guarantee that you will suddenly feel completely healthy and fresh. If you used to drink alcohol almost every day, you could for the first week or two Withdrawal symptoms to have. These include the following symptoms:
- inner unrest
- nausea
- uncontrolled tremors
- Sweats
- Anxiety attacks
Alcohol: less is better
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The general rule: Drinking less alcohol is always a good idea. However, there is no evidence that temporarily abstaining from alcohol has long-term positive effects on health. This is especially true if you end up drinking too much alcohol again.
According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) the harmless consumption of alcohol by healthy adult women is 0.3 liters of beer per day. For healthy adult men, the limit is 0.6 liters of beer per day. The following applies to all: No alcohol should be consumed at least two days a week.
If you drink more and more often, you are likely to damage your health. According to the BZgA, the most common diseases that are related to excessive alcohol consumption are:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Concentration and memory disorders
- Heart muscle disease
- high blood pressure
- Cancers
- impotence
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach)
- Obesity
Dry January: A good thing under certain conditions
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Conclusion: Even if temporary abstinence from alcohol does not bring long-term health benefits, it is an opportunity. Take the opportunity to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and change it if necessary. Be realistic. How much alcohol is good for you? Do you stick to the low-risk level when drinking? Why do you want to give up alcohol for a while? If you find yourself having a hard time giving up alcohol in January, you may already have a problem with alcohol. Use Dry January and get help if necessary.
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