Sober for October … It’s the first of October … and a chance to take another 30-day challenge to cut the booze before the holiday festivities start. The Sober for October challenge isn't just good for your health – it also raises money for breast cancer. You can sign up and get more details here.
But aside from the good it can do for others, a month without booze is really good for our health and comes with all kinds of health benefits.
Here’s what experts say you can look forward to by doing Sober October:
- A better night’s sleep - Alcohol can have a negative impact on sleep and keep you from getting the quality rest you need. “Alcohol may have an initial sedative effect, but sustained drinking is a major disruptor for circadian rhythms,” explains registered functional medicine nutritionist Samantha Bloom. So you’ll likely snooze better without the cocktails.
- Healthier skin - According to Dr. Hasia Al Khubra, who specializes in skin, alcohol is believed to be the second biggest cause of skin aging after sun damage. She explains that alcohol increases inflammation and can make conditions like acne and rosacea worse, plus it can dehydrate you and leave you with dry, flaky skin, and fine lines and wrinkles will be more visible. But after a month of sobriety, your complexion will be clearer and more hydrated.
- More money - People are concerned about their finances as the cost of living goes up, so not buying booze for a month will help your budget as well as your health.
- A healthier gut - Anna Mapson, registered nutritional therapist, explains that excess alcohol can increase inflammation in the gut as well as damage the tissues in the intestines. Poor gut health can affect mental health and has been linked to changes in mood, anxiety and depression, but cutting out drinking for a month will improve gut health.
- A happier you - “Drinking alcohol reduces your serotonin production - a key neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy,” explains pharmacist Giulia Guerrini. “So taking part in Sober October can boost your energy, mental health and mood while also making your head feel less foggy.”
Source: Independent
But then again...
Drinkers May Be Less Likely to Develop Dementia, Shocking Study Finds
Sober October has been touted as inspiration for many to whip themselves into shape. But this may be one trend that’s hazardous to your health — at least according to a recent study that found abstaining from booze could raise your risk of developing dementia. Published in the journal Addiction, the study was conducted by Sydney’s University of New South Wales, which performed a meta-analysis on 15 studies analyzing the link between alcohol and dementia in adults over the age of 60. Researchers looked at 24,478 people from across the globe. Over the duration of the study, 2,124 of the adults developed dementia. They found that those who were a part of the group diagnosed with the brain impairment were more likely to abstain from alcohol compared to light or moderate drinkers. Researchers didn’t establish why moderate alcohol intake can bolster brain health, and it did not take into account other factors like exercise, diet or weight.
Link: New York Post