7 days drinking less alcohol program

Benefits of not drinking alcohol 1. Ditching alcohol is better for our brains It’s hardly a surprise to learn that the classic signs of drunkenness – including slurred speech, poor memory and slower reflexes – are all the result of alcohol’s impact on the mind. Research from the University of Boston unpicks this, with their study finding that alcohol blocks the chemical signals (neurons) between brain cells. And this in turn triggers these common side effects. One alarming University of Tasmania study also showed that long term heavy drinking can shrink the frontal lobes of our brain and impair our thinking skills. “Alcohol can have an effect on our brain’s ability to function in the correct way, slowing down motor functions, memory and speech,” explains Dr Dan Bunstone, a GP and Chief Medical Officer at Push Doctor. “Reducing your consumption will have a profound effect on your ability to make rational decisions and allow your brain to function in the normal, healthy way.” Indeed research has shown that the brain can completely re-heal the damage done by alcohol when people go cold turkey. One German study found that lost graym. 2. Alcohol use is linked to Dementia Dr Shah, lead GP at digital health service Livi, tells us that not drinking alcohol is a no-brainer(!). Especially when it is linked to upping our chances of developing brain-related diseases like dementia. “Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy period of time can lead to brain damage and may increase your risk of developing dementia” he tells us. 3. Not drinking alcohol can help you lose weight Alcohol does no good to our waistlines – being both high in calories and something that slows down the metabolism. Many diets that work fast to help people lose weight include ditching alcohol all together. At 7 calories per gram on average, alcohol contains almost twice the amount of calories found in carbohydrates. Unless you’re opting for low calorie versions such as low calorie wine or low calorie beer. 4. Alcohol prevents our body from absorbing more vitamins and minerals We can all make the effort to eat a healthy breakfast and a salad here or there. But did you know that a few too many tipples everyday can affect the nutrients you reap from your food? Research by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that chronic drinkers showed “evidence of malnutrition” and bodies lacking in “amino acids, proteins and certain vitamins”.