Image Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/01/21/264568151/dry-january-giving-up-booze-for-a-month-does-have-benefits
At the start of the New Year, a phrase I continue to come across is “Dry January”. Dry January is when individuals refrain from consuming alcohol for the entire month of January. The possible benefits associated with this trend include weight loss, a better night’s sleep, and revitalization of the liver. While it is exciting to see individuals growing more concerned about their health, at the end of the day, it is all about moderation. Although not drinking during “Dry January” can promote weight loss, among other things, individuals will reap the same health benefits if they resolve to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and not just one month. According to these guidelines, alcohol consumption allows for up to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. To put this into perspective, one alcoholic beverage is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits. Following this recommendation of moderate alcohol consumption can aid in the prevention of developing chronic diseases like liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and high blood pressure. Entirely eliminating alcohol from one’s diet can pose the risk of eventual overindulgence. This remains true for completely removing anything from your diet, whether it be sweets due to post-holiday festivities regret or another guilty pleasure of yours. Practicing mindfulness when eating and drinking is an advantageous way to promote health and wellness. If we can start to pay more attention to how certain foods and beverages impact our bodies and wellbeing, we can begin to make more healthful choices regarding when and what we buy and consume.
