‘Dry January’ Has Arrived

Here's a New Year's resolution you only have to stick to for a month. January has been designated as "Sober January" or "Dry January."  It means you don't drink any alcohol all month long.

Not drinking can have a huge impact on your health. I am participating in the event and I’ve noticed many health benefits. I actually started last month. I feel better overall -- more energy, less aches and pains and my sugar level is not spiking.

A study in 2013 had "normal drinkers" stop drinking for one month. They lost an average of 3.5 pounds, were less likely to develop diabetes, and had lower cholesterol levels. They also slept better, found it easier to concentrate, and lowered the amount of fat in their liver by an average of 15 percent, which is very important because a fatty liver can lead to liver disease. A newer study found that not drinking for a month can actually change your drinking patterns, too. In the study, 850 people agreed to stop drinking for one month. Six months later, the ones who followed through with it were still drinking significantly less than they did before they took part in the study. Only about two-thirds of them actually made it a month without drinking though. The rest of them couldn't do it.

It isn’t too late for you to join in on Sober January. Give it a shot.

(Sources: NHS.uk / New Scientist / Huffington Post)