More and more people are going teetotal and with new restrictions on the sale of alcohol and pub opening hours, there’s never been a better time to do so.
It can be daunting to give up drinking considering how common it is in western societies and how much temptation surrounds us, but it’s a choice that can go hand in hand with an athletic lifestyle.
Here are five things that can happen when you stop drinking alcohol.
Your Heart Gets Healthier
Blood pressure can decrease when you get down on drinking heavily because levels of triglycerides - a type of fat - decrease. A lower blood pressure takes strain off of the heart and can decrease your risk of heart disease.
You Get Better Sleep
Drinking has been shown to reduce the quality and quantity of sleep you get at night. It’s also been linked with non-rapid-eye-movement sleep which tends to result in waking up more often throughout the night. So although it might be easier to fall asleep after drinking, you’ll usually wake up feeling less rested.
Your Immune System Will Function Better
A session of drinking can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system for up to 24 hours, and in the long term your body’s ability to fight off infections can be seriously compromised. And as has been widely discussed of late, alcohol consumption tends to lead to less social distancing which then increases your risk of catching a virus.
Improved Skin
Drinking alcohol is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Not only does dehydrate the body, but it can also lead to breakouts of rashes or spots due to the high sugar content.
Potentially Lower Your Cancer Risk
If you’ve been drinking heavily and then go cold turkey, your risk of developing serious health issues related to alcohol consumption will decrease over time. Booze has been linked with many types of cancer, including mouth, throat, liver, breast and colon cancer.
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